SCOTLAND

Departmental Advertising

Jeremy Browne: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what percentage of his Department's expenditure was on advertising in each of the last 10 years.

David Cairns: The Scotland Office was established on 1 July 1999. The office provides support services to the Office of the Advocate-General (OAG); prior to 2003-04, separate records were not maintained of the advertising costs for the two offices. The percentage of expenditure spent on advertising is as follows:
	
		
			   Percentage of overall budget spent on advertising 
			  SO/OAG  
			 1999-2000 0.73 
			 2000-01 4.49 
			 2001-02 2.83 
			 2002-03 0.15 
			   
			  SO only  
			 2003-04 0.00 
			 2004-05 0.00 
			 2005-06 0.00 
			 2006-07 0.47

Departmental Aviation

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what  (a) first-class and  (b) other flights he has taken since 28 June 2007; and on each occasion (i) how many staff travelled with him and (ii) what the cost of the travel was.

Des Browne: The Scotland Office does not separately record the class of flight undertaken.
	Since 28 June 2007 I have taken the following flights as Secretary of State for Scotland:
	
		
			  Date  Journey  Cost (£) 
			 14 August 2007 London to Edinburgh 155.13 
			 21 August 2007 London to Edinburgh 155.13 
			 5 November 2007 Edinburgh to London 222.33 
		
	
	No officials accompanied me on these flights.
	All travel is undertaken in accordance with the Civil Service Management Code and the Ministerial Code, copies of which are available in the Libraries of the House. Information relating to overseas travel by Ministers is published on an annual basis; the 2006-07 edition was published on 25 July 2007 and is also available in the Library of the House.

Departmental Databases

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what databases are  (a) owned and  (b) maintained by his Department.

David Cairns: None.

Departmental ICT

Susan Kramer: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many  (a) male and  (b) female members of staff in his Department were issued with personal digital assistants in each year since 2001; and if he will make a statement.

David Cairns: None.

Departmental ICT

Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many  (a) mobile telephones,  (b) personal digital assistants and  (c) laptop computers issued to departmental staff were reported (i) lost, (ii) missing and (iii) stolen in each year since 2001.

David Cairns: The following items were reported as being lost since 2001:
	
		
			   Item 
			 2001-02 Nil 
			 2002-03 1 x mobile phone 
			 2003-04 Nil 
			 2004-05 Nil 
			 2005-06 1 x BlackBerry 
			 2006-07 1 x mobile phone, 1 x BlackBerry 
			 2007-08 Nil 
		
	
	No items have been reported missing or stolen.

Departmental Ministerial Policy Advisers

Charles Walker: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the special advisers employed in his Department and its predecessor since 6 May 1997; and what the  (a) start and  (b) end date of employment was in each case.

David Cairns: I refer the hon. Member to the answer that I gave to the hon. Member for Brent, East (Sarah Teather) on 10 January 2008,  Official Report, column 692W.

Departmental Training

Pete Wishart: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what the annual expenditure on training and development by his Department was in each of the last two financial years; and what the planned expenditure is for 2007-08.

David Cairns: The staff in the Scotland Office are on loan from the Scottish Executive or the Ministry of Justice; both Departments provide access to training and development opportunities. The office incurred direct expenditure of £13,370 and £13,969 in 2005-06 and 2006-07 respectively; the estimated expenditure for 2007-08 is £23,000.

Departmental Travel

Jeremy Browne: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how much his Department spent on travel  (a) within and  (b) outside the UK for officials in each of the last 10 years; and what percentage of his Department's overall expenditure was spent on such travel in each such year.

David Cairns: The Scotland Office was established on 1 July 1999. The Office provides support services to the Office of the Advocate-General (OAG); prior to 2003-04, separate records were not maintained of the travel costs for the two offices. Expenditure was as follows:
	
		
			   Total officials travel cost UK (£000)  Percentage of total expenditure  Total officials travel cost outwith UK (£000)  Percentage of total expenditure 
			  SO/OAG 
			 1999-2000 157 4.26 11 0.30 
			 2000-01 267 4.44 32 0.53 
			 2001-02 263 3.99 31 0.47 
			 2002-03 260 3.85 48 0.71 
			  
			  SO only 
			 2003-04 175 3.62 7 0.14 
			 2004-05 140 3.48 0 0.00 
			 2005-06 146 4.01 0 0.00 
			 2006-07 145 3.76 1 0.03 
		
	
	All travel is undertaken in accordance with the Civil Service Management Code and the Ministerial Code, copies of which are available in the Libraries of the House.

Departmental Travel

Jeremy Browne: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many overseas visits by officials in his Department took place in each of the last 10 years; which countries were visited; and how much was spent on such visits in each such year.

David Cairns: The Scotland Office was established on 1 July 1999. The office provides support services to the Office of the Advocate-General (OAG); prior to 2003-04, separate records were not maintained of the travel costs for the two offices. The office does not hold records showing the number of journeys or the countries visited; however, the cost of such visits was as follows:
	
		
			   Total officials travel cost outwith UK (£000) 
			  SO/OAG  
			 1999-2000 11 
			 2000-01 32 
			 2001-02 31 
			 2002-03 48 
			   
			  Scotland Office only  
			 2003-04 7 
			 2004-05 0 
			 2005-06 0 
			 2006-07 1 
		
	
	All travel is undertaken in accordance with the Civil Service Management Code and the Ministerial Code, copies of which are available in the Libraries of the House.

Departmental Vehicles

Pete Wishart: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what the annual expenditure on vehicles by his Department was in the last 12 months; and what the planned expenditure is for 2007-08.

David Cairns: None.

Official Engagements

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what his official engagements were in December 2007.

Des Browne: Throughout the period 1 to 31 December, I had various meetings in London and Scotland, including with ministerial colleagues and officials from the MOD and Scotland Office. On 1 December, I visited the Longannet power station in Alloa and participated in the Scottish Interfaith Week Come and Play the Diversity Game event in Edinburgh. On 3 December, I answered oral Defence questions in the House of Commons. On 4 December, I met with service families about the Board of Inquiry findings into the crash of the RAF Nimrod XV230 before attending the House to make a statement about the same. On 5 December, I gave oral evidence to the AFPRB and in the evening I attended a Sailor, Soldier, Airmen and Families Association carol service at the Guards' Chapel, Wellington barracks. On 6 December, I met representatives from the services charity 'Forward Edge Battle Area'. Between December 7 and December 10, I was overseas visiting service personnel in Afghanistan. On 11 December and 12 December, I had meetings with several families of troops who died on operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. On 12 December I attended the Scotch Whisky Association reception in Dover House. On 14 and 15 December, I hosted a meeting in Edinburgh for the Defence and Foreign Ministers of nations contributing troops to NATO-led operations in southern Afghanistan. On 17 December I discussed the outcome of the Edinburgh meeting with the NATO Secretary-General and also met Ross Kemp to discuss his recent visit to Afghanistan. On 18 December I met representatives from Serco Defence, Science and Technology. On 19 December I held a video conference with representatives of the independent panel set up by the Canadian government to review their future role in Afghanistan (the Manley Panel). On 20 December, I took the salute at a passing out parade at the Army Training Regiment in Bassingbourn.

Sunbeds

Si�n James: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what discussions he has had with the Scottish Executive on regulation of  (a) sunbed salons and  (b) unsupervised sunbed salons and the use of each by persons under 18 years of age.

David Cairns: No such discussions have taken place.
	Regulation of the safety of UV tanning equipment provided in sunbed salons is reserved to the UK Government. The Department of Health has recently launched its Cancer Reform Strategy, which notes that the Department will be reviewing the options for regulation of the industry through consultation with stakeholders.

WALES

Legislation

David Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many members of staff at the Wales Office work mainly on the processing of requests for legislative competence orders.

Paul Murphy: Dealing with how legislation at Westminster should apply to Wales is and always has been a core activity of the Wales Office.
	Many of the office's 55 staff will work on it from time to time. We do not assess staff effort on requests for legislative competence orders separately from other legislation which the Wales Office handles, such as England and Wales legislation, Wales only Bills, and other methods of conferring measure making powers on the Assembly under the Government of Wales Act 2006.
	The office has re-structured to deal with new work flowing from the 2006 Act. It is still recruiting, but will have 10 people in branches dedicated to legislative business, with as many again likely to spend a varying but significant proportion of their time on it, alongside other activities.

HOUSE OF COMMONS COMMISSION

Departmental Advertising

Jeremy Browne: To ask the hon. Member for North Devon, representing the House of Commons Commission what percentage of the Commission's expenditure was on advertising in each of the last 10 years.

Nick Harvey: Disaggregated figures identifying the level of expenditure spent on advertising are not available prior to 2003. The figures for recent years are:
	
		
			   Percentage 
			 2003-04 0.2 
			 2004-05 0.1 
			 2005-06 0.1 
			 2006-07 0.2

Department of Finance and Administration

Martyn Jones: To ask the hon. Member for North Devon, representing the House of Commons Commission what organisational changes have occurred in the Department of Finance and Administration in the last 20 years in  (a) function,  (b) work load and  (c) use by hon. Members and required contact with hon. Members.

Nick Harvey: The information required is as follows:
	 History
	The Department of Finance and Administration was created in 1991 following a review of the House of Commons Service by Sir Robin Ibbs. The Ibbs report recommended that the department should develop and offer to the Commission, committees and departments a range of financial services, including financial planning, monitoring and review and financial appraisal of new proposals. The department continued to provide personnel services to departments of the House, which had previously been provided by the Administration Department, and the payment of Members' pay and expenses which had been provided by the Fees Office.
	 (a) Function
	Since 1991, demand for finance and administration services has grown, e.g. as a result of the need for better financial management, resource accounting and budgeting, and a range of regulatory compliance requirements. Additional services provided by this department include data protection, freedom of information, HR advice to Members, occupational health, safety and welfare, corporate learning and diversity and procurement. In 1997 the department was reorganised on functional lines. An organisational chart can be found on the Department of Resources intranet site. Following the Tebbit report, the department was renamed Department of Resources. On 1 January 2008 the internal audit and risk management function was transferred to the Office of the Chief Executive.
	 (b) Work load
	The Department's work load has grown considerably as the demand for services has grown. For example, the number of Members' allowance claims has risen from 27,044 in 1996-97 to 51,132 in 2006-07. The introduction of the communications allowance in April 2007 will increase this further. Other increases in work load are: for the period 1993-94, 11,429 payments (invoices) were processed; this has risen to 25,356 in 2006-07. Recruitment exercises have risen from 107 in 1993-94 to 270 in 2006-07. Data changes to staff payroll have increased from 30,882 in 1996-97 to 39,714 in 2006-07. Further information relating to the work loads of the department can be found in the Members Estimate Annual Reports and the Commission's Annual Reports.
	 (c) Use by Members
	As for use of services by hon. Members and contact with hon. Members, the department has developed several services to help Members in carrying out their duties. This includes the setting up the personnel advice service in October 2001 and the enquiry and advice team (EAT) in March 2005. EAT provides a 'one stop shop' for Members and their staff on all allowance and payment matters. In 2006-07 EAT received 25,439 calls and has received 24,048 so far in 2007-08. The department runs a Members' advice surgery, where MPs are able to drop in and discuss any issues related to their allowances and staff. This service is located in Portcullis House and is run on a monthly basis when the House is sitting. The department has improved financial information that MPs receive and this includes the provision of monthly budget statements detailing spend to date for the previous month.
	The 2007 survey of Members' services reported that 80 per cent. of all respondents said they were either extremely or very satisfied with the Department's handling of Parliamentary allowances queries.

Diplomatic Protection Group

Bernard Jenkin: To ask the hon. Member for North Devon, representing the House of Commons Commission what health and safety assessment has been made of the accommodation available for the Diplomatic Protection Group of the police in those parts of the Palace of Westminster for which the Commission has responsibility.

Nick Harvey: A health and safety assessment of the accommodation available for the Diplomatic Protection Group has been carried out by the House of Commons Estate Safety Adviser. It highlighted a number of safety and environmental issues and the House authorities and the Metropolitan Police Service are working together to find solutions.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Ethiopia: Overseas Aid

Mark Pritchard: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much international aid and development funding was given to Ethiopia in 2006-07; and if he will make a statement.

Gillian Merron: The forum for international aid reporting is the Development Assistance Committee (DAC) which publishes Official Development Assistance (ODA) figures on a calendar year basis. The international aid figures for Ethiopia for 2006 are shown in the following table:
	
		
			  Official development assistance  for 2006,  Ethiopia 
			   million 
			 UK 89.45 
			 Other bilateral donors 480.7 
			 Multilateral donors 487.76 
			 Total 1,057.91

Food

Michael Moore: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development whether he met  (a) representatives of the UN World Food Programme and  (b) President of the World Bank, Robert Zoellick, at the World Economic Forum, Davos, to discuss global supplies of essential food commodities; and what the outcome of that meeting was.

Douglas Alexander: At the World Economic Forum in Davos, I met with Josette Sheeran, Executive Director of the World Food Programme (WFP). We discussed a range of issues.
	I did not meet with Robert Zoellick, as he is due to be visiting London in the coming weeks and I will meet with him then.

Kosovo: Overseas Aid

Michael Moore: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much aid his Department allocated to Kosovo in each of the last three years; how much will be granted in the next three years; and if he will make a statement.

Douglas Alexander: Details of the UK's bilateral assistance to Kosovo and imputed multilateral assistance to Serbia and Montenegro (including Kosovo) in each of the last three years are laid out in the following tables. When figures are available the imputed multilateral assistance to Serbia and Montenegro will be reported separately for 2006; however, Kosovo will continue to be reported as part of Serbia until Kosovo's status is resolved.
	
		
			  Table 1: Total DFID  b ilateral  e xpenditure on  d evelopment  a ssistance to Kosovo 2004-05 to 2006-07 
			   000 
			 2004-05 (1)2,458 
			 2005-06 (1)2,919 
			 2006-07 (1)3,188 
			 2007-08 (2)2,835 
			 (1)Actual spend.  (2) Projected spend. 
		
	
	
		
			  Table 2: Imputed UK share of multilateral official development assistance to Serbia and Montenegro (including Kosovo) (ODA) 2004-05 
			   000 
			 2004 40,616 
			 2005 21,865 
		
	
	DFID is currently developing detailed plans for allocating its budget over the three-year period 2008-09 to 2010-11 following the outcome of the comprehensive spending review announced in October. Individual country and regional allocations will not be finalised until March 2008.

Middle East: Overseas Aid

Stephen Crabb: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps his Department takes to ensure that aid to the Palestinian territories is not used to fund propaganda against the West and Israel.

Douglas Alexander: UK aid to the Occupied Palestinian Territories is subject to the highest level of scrutiny. All projects are run by internationally respected organisations and are independently audited. Rigorous checks are performed for each payment and individual recipients are checked against up to five different international terrorist lists.
	The UK does not fund Palestinian Authority (PA) education textbooks, nor do we provide funding to the Ministry of Education. The UK supports public services through the Temporary International Mechanism (TIM) but the TIM does not contribute to the production of educational materials.

World Economic Forum

Michael Moore: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what meetings he  (a) attended and  (b) chaired during the World Economic Forum, Davos, from 23 to 28 January 2008.

Douglas Alexander: At the World Economic Forum in Davos I participated in a number of bilaterals, as well as attending the following sessions:
	Three Crucial Questions for Gordon Brown
	Corporate Global Citizenship in the 21st Century
	New Drivers of Development
	The Future of Global Governance: Time for Government 2.0?
	Threats to the Global Trading System.

LEADER OF THE HOUSE

Departmental Databases

Mark Hoban: To ask the Leader of the House what databases are  (a) owned and  (b) maintained by her Office.

Helen Goodman: The Office of the Leader of the House of Commons has one correspondence database which is managed via a service level agreement by the Cabinet Office IT provider and Domain Technologies.

Departmental Internet

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Leader of the House how many Wikipedia entries have been  (a) created and  (b) amended (i) by (A) special advisers, (B) Ministers and (C) communications officials and (ii) from IP addresses of (1) special advisers, (2) Ministers and (3) communications officials in her Office since August 2005.

Helen Goodman: None. Officials in this Office are not responsible for the creation of, or amendment to, Wikipedia entries and there are no plans for them to become so.

WOMEN AND EQUALITY

Administration of Justice: Females

Theresa May: To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities what discussions she has had since 1 December 2007 with the hon. Member for Liverpool, Garston in her role as the Ministry of Justice's Ministerial Champion for Women and Criminal Justice.

Barbara Follett: I take a close interest in women and criminal justice matters and have had regular discussions with my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Ministry of Justice (Maria Eagle). I am also a member of the ministerial sub-group on women convened by her as the Ministry of Justice's Ministerial Champion for Women and Criminal Justice, and which held its first meeting on 23 January 2008.

Prostitution: Advertising

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Minister for Women and Equality what steps the Government plan to take on the offering of sexual services through personal advertisements in regional and local newspapers.

Barbara Follett: holding answer 7 February 2008
	 Last week we published Women Not for Sale, which is a snapshot of one day's worth of this type of advertisements, as part of work to halt the growing vice trade of women trafficked into the UK for the purposes of prostitution.
	We have also had constructive meetings with representatives from the newspaper and advertising industries on this issue. The Newspaper Society has agreed to examine the guidance it issues to publishers to ensure it fully reflects concerns about human trafficking for sexual exploitation.

COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Aggregates: Construction

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what discussions her officials have had with the construction industry on reducing the use of aggregates in the last three years.

Iain Wright: Officials held extensive discussions with stakeholders, including the construction and minerals industries, in developing the current planning policy for minerals, set out in Minerals Policy Statement 1, published in November 2006. This policy promotes a hierarchical approach to minerals supply, aiming first to reduce as far as practicable the quantity of material used.

Buildings: Energy

Clive Betts: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government when she plans to publish  (a) details of the training and qualifications required to accredit energy assessors and  (b) the approved method for calculating energy consumption as part of implementing requirements for display energy certificates.

Caroline Flint: Details of routes to accreditation for all types of energy assessors, including accreditation schemes approved to offer such accreditation, are available on the CLG website. Training courses and qualifications are being developed and delivered by approved awarding bodies. In addition, a route to accredit prior experience and learning have being developed by the approved accreditation schemes and approved by CLG.
	A version of the approved method for calculating energy consumption as part of implementing requirements for display energy certificates is available to approved accreditation schemes and other stakeholders on the CLG website.

Community Relations

David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many  (a) full-time and  (b) part-time staff are employed by her Department on the Prevent aspect of Project contest.

Parmjit Dhanda: As of the end of December 2007, 22 civil servants were employed full-time and one civil servant are employed part-time by the Department for Communities and Local Government to work on the PREVENT strand of the CONTEST Strategy.

Council Housing: Tenants

Austin Mitchell: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government whether the proposal that tenants should be actively seeking work will apply to  (a) council tenants,  (b) tenants of registered social landlords,  (c) existing tenants,  (d) new tenants and  (e) registered social landlord tenants on partial purchase schemes; and what account was taken of (i) secure and assured tenancies and (ii) the obligation on local authorities to re-house families with children in deciding on the proposal.

Caroline Flint: At my speech to the Fabian Society's conference on 5 February, which can be read at:
	http://www.communities.gov.uk/speeches/corporate/fabian societyaddress
	I called for a wide ranging debate about how best to tackle the challenge of worklessness in social housing, examining the full range of options. Development of future policy proposals will be informed by this debate.
	Professor John Hills' report, 'Ends and Means: the future roles of social housing in England', found that over half of social tenants of working age are without work. This represents a huge waste of potential and a challenge we must address.
	Social housing has, and will continue to have, a crucial role as a safety net for the most vulnerable. But it should not only be a safety net. It should also provide a platform for people to get on with their lives, and improve their skills and prospects.

Council Tax: Debt Collection

Julia Goldsworthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many local authorities have a policy of using bailiff services in pursuit of council tax arrears.

John Healey: The Department does not hold this information.

Council Tax: Debt Collection

Julia Goldsworthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what guidance her Department has provided to local authorities on issuing bankruptcy orders in pursuit of council tax arrears; how many local authorities have issued such orders; and how many such orders have been issued in total by local authorities since 1991-92.

John Healey: The Council Tax (Administration and Enforcement) Regulations 1992 (SI 1992/613) provide local authorities with a range of powers to enforce payment of council tax from those who refuse to pay. The Department does not issue guidance to local authorities on the issuing of bankruptcy orders or hold information on the number of orders issued by local authorities.

Departmental Carbon Emissions

Fraser Kemp: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what steps she has taken to reduce her Department's carbon dioxide emissions in 2008-09.

Parmjit Dhanda: Communities and Local Government has undertaken various measures to reduce its carbon emissions in 2008-09.
	These include fitting variable speed drives, installing a new boiler, and upgrading a building environmental management system. Automated meters are also being installed at our HQ building to facilitate improved energy monitoring.
	We are actively rationalising our estate to reduce our total footprint. And to assist this programme, we are piloting a flexible desking initiative which ensures higher utilisation of available workstations therefore reducing the overall office space required.
	We are also currently assessing the feasibility of installing voltage power optimisation equipment and we continue to investigate options for on-site micro-renewable technologies.
	Numerous smaller projects are scheduled in 2008-09 to further reduce our carbon emissions, and surveys are being conducted to identify opportunities. All of these activities and opportunities will be fed into our energy efficiency action plan to help monitor progress against our reduction targets.

Departmental Freedom of Information

Denis Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many Freedom of Information requests her Department received in each year since 2005; and how many of those requests were refused.

Parmjit Dhanda: The Government have published two annual reports that contain statistical information about how many requests have been received by monitored bodies (including central Government Departments) and how many have been refused. These reports can be found at the following address:
	http://www.dca.gov.uk/foi/reference/statisticsAndReports.htm
	Data are currently being collected across monitored bodies in order to produce the 2007 annual report and monitoring report for the fourth quarter of the year. However, monitoring reports for the first three quarters of 2007 can be found at the following address:
	http://www.justice.gov.uk/publications/freedomofinformation quarterly.htm

Departmental ICT

Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many  (a) mobile telephones,  (b) personal digital assistants and  (c) laptop computers issued to departmental staff were reported (i) lost, (ii) missing and (iii) stolen since 2001.

Parmjit Dhanda: Communities and Local Government was created on 5 May 2006. The information in the table goes back to May 2002, and includes data for CLG's predecessor Department, the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (which was formed on 29 May 2002) and its Agencies. The data requested prior to this date are not held centrally and therefore cannot be provided.
	
		
			  Status  Mobile phones  Digital assistants  Laptops 
			  2002-03
			 Lost 0 0 0 
			 Missing 0 0 0 
			 Stolen 0 0 2 
			  2003-04
			 Lost 1 0 0 
			 Missing 0 0 0 
			 Stolen 0 0 2 
			  2004-05
			 Lost 0 0 0 
			 Missing 0 0 0 
			 Stolen 0 0 2 
			  2005-06
			 Lost 0 0 0 
			 Missing 0 0 0 
			 Stolen 0 0 (1 )7 
			 Lost 0 0 0 
			  2006-07
			 Missing 0 0 0 
			 Stolen 2 0 7 
			  2007-08
			 Lost 0 0 0 
			 Missing 0 0 0 
			 Stolen 2 0 8 
			 (1) This includes 2 x laptops from the Fire Service College and recorded as lost at the time of the answer of 13 February 2006,  Official Report, column 1616W, to the Member for Monmouth (David T.C. Davies) but subsequently reported as stolen. 
		
	
	The official data on each of the laptops were not encrypted, because none of the information was classified. However, each laptop was password protected.
	This answer does not include Government Office for the Region who carry out functions on behalf of 10 Government Departments.

Departmental ICT

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many of her Department's personal digital assistants were  (a) lost and  (b) stolen in each of the last five years; and what the value of those items was.

Parmjit Dhanda: There have been no digital assistants reported as lost or stolen.

Departmental Information Officers

Jeremy Browne: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many  (a) press and  (b) communications officers her Department employed in each of the last 10 years.

Parmjit Dhanda: The Department was established in 2006.
	The Department employed 22 press officers in FY 2006-07. There are currently 20 press officers in post.
	The Department does not have a communications officer grade. The hon. Member may wish to refer to The White Book, published by COI. This is available in the Library of the House and contains a listing for members of the Department's Communications Directorate. The book is updated twice yearly.

Departmental Marketing

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government whether her Department has purchased products featuring departmental or Government branding in the last five years.

Parmjit Dhanda: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 17 January 2008,  Official Report, column 1473W.

Departmental Ministerial Policy Advisers

Charles Walker: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government if she will list the special advisers employed in her Department and its predecessors since 6 May 1997; and what the  (a) start and  (b) end date of employment was in each case.

Parmjit Dhanda: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 15 January 2008,  Official Report, column 1156W, to the hon. Member for Brent, East (Sarah Teather).

Departmental Public Relations

Jeremy Browne: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many external contracts her Department held with public relations companies since its inception; and what the total cost of those contracts was.

Parmjit Dhanda: The information requested is available on the Department's website at:
	http://www.communities.gov.uk/corporate/about/freedom-of-information/disclosure-log/disclosurelog2008/publicrelations firms/
	This is the reply to a recent freedom of information request seeking information about the Department's dealings with public relations and public affairs firms, since 2002.

Departmental Vehicles

Jeremy Browne: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many vehicles were  (a) owned and  (b) purchased by her Department and its predecessor in each of the last 10 years.

Parmjit Dhanda: The Department was formed in 2002 and information prior to this date could be provided only at disproportionate cost. The Department does not manage a fleet of motor vehicles for use by staff.
	However, the Department has procured and owns vehicles in connection with the Fire and Resilience Division and in particular the New Dimensions Programme, for use in a major accident or disaster by emergency services personnel.
	The Vehicles are listed as follows:
	
		
			  Vehicle  Quantity  Description 
			 MPVs (Multi Purpose Vehicles) 20 Urban Search and Rescue vehicles used to move rubble etc. in the event of a building collapse. 
			 IRU Vehicles (Incident Response Units) 80 Incident Response Unit (IRUs), vehicles, each carrying two mass decontamination structures including gas tight suits, decontamination showers, equipment to dis-robe and re-robe casualties. 
			 DIM Vehicles (Detection, Identification and Monitoring) 19 Vans that are kitted out with detection and monitoring equipment such as radiation dosimeters and survey meters. 
			 Prime Mover Vehicles 238 Lorries that carry either Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) modules, Mass Decontamination modules or High Volume Pumps to incidents. 
		
	
	Of these vehicles; the department transferred seven Incident Response Units and 11 Prime Mover Vehicles to Wales as part of the Machinery of Government Changes. The Department also sold eight Prime Mover Vehicles to Northern Ireland, one to Stafford Fire and Rescue Service and seven to Scotland.

Disabled Facilities Grants: Finance

Stephen Ladyman: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how much was provided to each local authority in England as disabled facilities grant in each of the last three years; and what proportion was claimed by registered social landlords and their tenants in each case.

Iain Wright: A table setting out the funding of disabled facilities grant to local authorities over the last three years has been deposited in the Library of the House.
	The Department does not hold records on the share of disabled facilities grant claimed by registered social landlords and their tenants.

Electric Cables: Leukaemia

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government if she will meet representatives of the construction industry to discuss the possible relationship between incidence of childhood leukaemia and the building of houses close to high voltage power lines.

Iain Wright: I am due to meet with the hon. Gentleman for Ruislip-Northwood (Mr. Hurd) today to discuss this matter. I would also be happy to meet representatives of the construction industry to discuss this issue.

Employment Agencies

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how much her Department paid to recruitment agencies in relation to departmental appointments in each year since 1997.

Parmjit Dhanda: The Department for Communities and Local Government was established on 5 May 2006. Since that date 723,916 has been spent on external recruitment, which includes the use of the media and recruitment agencies.

Empty Property

Bob Neill: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what definition of an empty home is used in relation to  (a) council tax,  (b) Empty Dwelling Management Orders and  (c) for her Department's statistical purposes.

John Healey: The definition of an empty dwelling for council tax purposes is an unoccupied dwelling which is substantially unfurnished.
	The definition for Empty Dwelling Management Orders is as set out in s132-s134 of the Housing Act 2004.
	For statistical purposes, vacancy is defined as for council tax purposes, and divided between long and short term (where short term is for up to six months).

Energy: Inspections

Eric Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many energy inspectors will be required to meet the requirement for Energy Performance Certificates on  (a) commercial property,  (b) private rented accommodation and  (c) social housing.

Caroline Flint: The number of assessors needed will depend on market conditions and on the level of demand for voluntary certificates ahead of time.

Environment Protection: Finance

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how much of the 2 million budget under the auspices of eco risk assessment funding has been allocated to  (a) climate change mitigation,  (b) flood risk management,  (c) energy efficiency and  (d) water efficiency; and if she will make a statement.

Caroline Flint: No funding has yet been allocated from that budget which was announced in the Thames Gateway Delivery Plan published last November covering 2008-09 to 2010-11. We are discussing with stakeholders the arrangements for allocating this funding.

Fair Trade Initiative

Michael Moore: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what her Department's policy is on the use of fair trade goods  (a) in staff catering facilities and  (b) at official departmental functions and meetings; and if she will make a statement.

Parmjit Dhanda: Communities and Local Government promotes sustainability in the procurement of its goods and services. Our contract specifications are drafted to allow our suppliers to provide fair or ethically traded products in  (a) staff catering facilities and  (b) official functions and meetings.

Fire Services

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government 
	(1)  how many calls each fire control room received in the 72 hour period commencing 00:00 on 20 July 2007;
	(2)  how many incidents each fire and rescue service attended in the 72 hour period commencing 00:00 on 20 July 2007;
	(3)  how many calls went unanswered in each fire and rescue service area in the 72 hour period commencing 00:00 on 20 July 2007;
	(4)  what the greatest number of calls to any one fire control room in a 24 hour period was in the most recent period for which figures are available.

Parmjit Dhanda: The information requested is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
	
		
			  Calls handled and incidents recorded by FRAs where data is available for the 24 hour  period commencing 00: 00 on 20 July 
			   Calls answered  Incidents recorded  Daily average 999 calls for2005-06 
			 Derbyshire 46 41 72 
			 Lincolnshire 149 118 47 
			 Nottinghamshire 86 41 100 
			 Bedfordshire 533 219 39 
			 Cambridgeshire 170 40 74 
			 Hertfordshire 286 273 63 
			 LFEPA 2,018 2,018 721 
			 Cheshire 94 33 80 
			 Cumbria 31 22 29 
			 Greater Manchester 217 107 261 
			 Lancashire 308 73 127 
			 Merseyside 69 44 193 
			 Berkshire 1,178 773 54 
			 Buckinghamshire 267 260 53 
			 East Sussex 238 75 50 
			 Hampshire 840 114 154 
			 Isle of Wight 7 3 7 
			 Surrey 490 490 65 
			 West Sussex 347 139 54 
			 Avon 586 586 87 
			 Cornwall 227 21 42 
			 Devon and Somerset 71 54 84 
			 Dorset 296 36 49 
			 Gloucestershire 1,352 276 41 
			 Somerset 63 62 33 
			 Wiltshire 610 166 40 
			 Hereford and Worcester 892 147 63 
			 Shropshire 450 445 32 
			 Staffordshire 190 251 81 
			 West Midlands 521 154 289 
			 Humberside 46 27 72 
			 West Yorkshire 264 89 181 
		
	
	Authorities record incidents differently (for example, where there are multiple calls about the same incident). Given the exceptional levels of demand on the FRS, appliances will not necessarily have been mobilised to all these incidents, for example those which were assessed by authorities as not presenting a risk to life.

Fire Services

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what the estimated cost to her Department of  (a) rental,  (b) VAT,  (c) business rates and  (d) other associated costs of the regional control centres in the (i) South West, (ii) East Midlands and (iii) North East was from their establishment until the date of the first fire and rescue service control room cutover in each region.

Parmjit Dhanda: The following table gives the total rental and associated costs from the point that rent becomes payable on the relevant regional control centre until expected cutover of the first FRS in that region. During this period, the buildings will be fitted out by the IT suppliers. They will also be used by the regional project teams.
	
		
			   
			   (i) South West  (ii) East Midlands  (iii) North East 
			 Total estimated rent from start of rental payments until first FRS Cutover 1,942,389 2,016,980 1,649,561 
			 Total estimated associated(1) costs from start of rental payments until first FRS Cutover 705,413 727,300 692,716 
			 (1) Comprises: Facilities Management (FM), security and utilities. 
		
	
	Subject to final confirmation by HM Revenue and Customs, we expect that any VAT paid will be recoverable. Business rates are not subject to VAT.
	The amount of business rates payable is not yet established. Discussions are in progress with the Valuation Office Agency.

Fire Services

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what the estimated cost to her Department of  (a) rental,  (b) VAT,  (c) business rates and  (d) other associated costs of the regional control centres in the (i) South West, (ii) East Midlands and (iii) North East was from set up until the date of the last fire and rescue service control room cutover in each region.

Parmjit Dhanda: The following table gives the total rental and associated costs from the point that rent becomes payable on the relevant regional control centre until expected cutover of the last FRS in that region.
	
		
			   
			   (i) South West  (ii) East Midlands  (iii) North East 
			 Total estimated rent from start of rental payments until last FRS Cutover 2,453,544 2,924,621 2,134,726 
			 Total estimated associated(1) costs from start of rental payments until last FRS Cutover 891,048 1,054,585 896,456 
			 (1) Comprises: Facilities Management (FM), security and utilities. 
		
	
	Subject to final confirmation by HM Revenue and Customs, we expect that any VAT paid will be recoverable. Business rates are not subject to VAT.
	The amount of business rates payable is not yet established. Discussions are in progress with the Valuation Office Agency.

Fire Services

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government on what date she expects the  (a) North East,  (b) East Midlands and  (c) South West regional fire control centres to open with a full operational capability.

Parmjit Dhanda: The regional control centres (RCCs) in the North East, East Midlands and the South West are expected to begin operations on 5 October 2009 for the first Fire and Rescue Services to 'cut over'.
	There will be a phased cut-over to the RCCs, with all Fire and Rescue Services in those regions using RCCs by January 2011.
	The entire network of nine regional control centres will be fully operational by September 2011.

Fire Services: Cost-effectiveness

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what tests will be applied to determine whether the Fire Control project represents value for money for fire and rescue authorities.

Parmjit Dhanda: holding answer 31 January 2008
	The Department published version 1.0 of the business case in June 2007. This set out at a high level why Fire Control is an essential part of the national fire resilience programme and how it will help to improve public safety in England. Once steadystate operating conditions are achieved, the cost of providing control services under the new, regional networked arrangements is estimated to be some 28 per cent. (23 million) lower per annum than current operating costs. These figures are informed by assumptions which we continue to review with our partners including the fire and rescue authorities. We will publish these in an updated business case in due course.

Fire Services: Expenditure

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what the total allocation for the Fire and Resilience Programme was in the last year for which figures are available, broken down by fire and rescue services in England and Wales; and if she will make a statement.

Parmjit Dhanda: The following table shows total grants paid to Fire and Rescue Authorities in 2007-08 for the FiReControl, Firelink and New Dimension projects in England, which together constitute the Fire and Resilience Programme. A further grant for New Dimension is expected before the end of 2007-08, but this is still being finalised. Communities and Local Government deals only with fire and rescue authorities in England.
	
		
			  Fire and Resilience  programme payments 2007-08 
			  Fire and Rescue Authority  000 
			 Avon 860.3 
			 Bedfordshire and Luton 111.9 
			 Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes 940.0 
			 Cambridgeshire and Peterborough 118.2 
			 Cheshire 177.4 
			 Cleveland 1,193.4 
			 Cornwall 56.0 
			 Cumbria 128.3 
			 Derbyshire 613.2 
			 Devon and Somerset 3,703.8 
			 Dorset 56.0 
			 Durham and Darlington 293.5 
			 East Sussex 143.6 
			 Essex 936.4 
			 Gloucestershire 56.0 
			 Greater London Authority (for London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority) 3,876.0 
			 Greater Manchester 283.3 
			 Hampshire 1,125.1 
			 Hereford and Worcester 1,123.5 
			 Hertfordshire 117.0 
			 Humberside 123.0 
			 Isle of Wight 123.4 
			 Kent 1,101.2 
			 Lancashire 1,029.2 
			 Leicestershire 2,969.2 
			 Lincolnshire 1,329.9 
			 Merseyside 1,269.4 
			 North Yorkshire 124.1 
			 Norfolk 1,135.4 
			 Northamptonshire 269.8 
			 Northumberland 248.2 
			 Nottinghamshire and City of Nottingham 525.2 
			 Oxfordshire 143.8 
			 Royal Berkshire 157.4 
			 Shropshire and Wrekin 269.1 
			 South Yorkshire 170.2 
			 Staffordshire Fire 331.0 
			 Suffolk 115.0 
			 Surrey 143.6 
			 Tyne and Wear 1,192.6 
			 Warwickshire 256.1 
			 West Midlands 1,590.0 
			 West Sussex 813.5 
			 West Yorkshire 1,896.0 
			 Wiltshire and Swindon 56.0 
			 Total 33,295.7

Fire Services: ICT

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what the  (a) total cost and  (b) cost of information technology provision in respect of the FiReControl Project has been since 27 October 2005; and if she will make a statement.

Parmjit Dhanda: The total expenditure on the FiReControl project since October 2005 is 61 million. This figure includes new burdens awards and payments to suppliers.
	Since contract award in 2007, accrued expenditure with the IT supplier is 14 million.

Fire Services: ICT

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what mechanisms are in place to monitor and evaluate the efficacy of EADS Defence and Security Systems in the provision of networked control systems in respect of the Fire Control Project; and if she will make a statement.

Parmjit Dhanda: The Fire Control information systems contract was placed with EADS Defence and Security Systems Limited in March 2007. Progress against contractual milestones is monitored formally on a monthly basis and overall progress is reviewed regularly between the Senior Responsible Owner and the Managing Director of EADS.

Fire Services: Manpower

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many and what proportion of staff in the fire and rescue service were firefighters in each year since 1997.

Parmjit Dhanda: Available information, based on returns provided by each Fire and Rescue Service, is shown in the following table:
	
		
			  Personnel employed in the fire and rescue service in England 
			   Firefighters( 1)  Fire  c ontrol  Non-uniformed  Total  Percentage  Firefighters 
			 1996-97 45,049 1,384 n/a 46,433  
			 1997-98 44,702 1,379 n/a 46,081  
			 1998-99 44,940 1,355 n/a 46,295  
			 1999-2000 44,637 1,373 6,175 52,185 86 
			 2000-01 44,694 1,389 6,263 52,346 85 
			 2001-02 44,605 1,417 6,743 52,765 85 
			 2002-03 44,658 1,449 6,954 53,061 84 
			 2003-04 44,871 1,519 7,243 53,633 84 
			 2004-05 44,596 1,520 7,837 53,953 83 
			 2005-06 44,635 1,538 8,088 54,261 82 
			 n/a = not available (1) Includes all roles of fire.   Source:  Annual returns to Communities and Local Government officers, including chief officers

Fire Services: Pay

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what criteria are used to determine bonus payments to senior fire officers.

Parmjit Dhanda: The payment of bonuses to senior fire officers is a matter for individual fire and rescue authorities.

Fire Services: Pensions

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government when she expects the working party on firefighters' pensions announced on 22 January to  (a) meet and  (b) report; and if she will make a statement.

Parmjit Dhanda: The Government's intentions for firefighters' pensions involve the provision of viable, affordable and good quality final salary pensions which, at the same time, must remain fair to taxpayers.
	To help achieve that an ill health review group of national stakeholders, including the fire and rescue authority employers and trade unions, professional firelighter bodies and specialist work force advisers, is being established to examine urgently the issues and evidence surrounding the operation of current ill health pension awards, and to inform Ministers' consideration of the best way forward. Arrangements have already been made to hold a first meeting of the group on 20 February with further meetings planned for 4 March and 2 April.

Fire: Death

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many deaths attributed to fire were notified to her Department and its predecessors by fire and rescue services in each of the last 10 years for which figures are available; and how many such deaths were subsequently not recorded in the fire statistics as a fire death, broken down by (i) brigade and (ii) region.

Parmjit Dhanda: Every fire death reported to the Department is regarded as provisional until the cause of death can be verified against death certificates, following a coroner's inquest. This verification exercise generally has the effect of reducing the number of fire deaths for a given year, as deaths originally attributed to fire may have other causes, for example: a road traffic accident where the cause of death was the impact rather than the subsequent fire, or where a person suffers a heart attack whilst cooking leading to a fire, or where fire has been used to cover up a homicide perpetrated by other means. The verification exercise will also detect where a casualty originally recorded by the fire service as injured subsequently died, so can result in additional deaths being recorded.
	The following tables show, for 1997 to 2005, provisional and finalised fire death figures for Government region and for each fire and rescue service. Only provisional figures are currently available for 2006.
	
		
			  Provisional and finalised fire deaths, by fire and rescue service and Government office region, 1997-2006 
			   1997  1998  1999  2000 
			  FRS area  Provisional  Final  Provisional  Final  Provisional  Final  Provisional  Final 
			 England 596 563 526 493 532 459 500 487 
			  
			 Bedfordshire 7 7 3 4 5 5 6 6 
			 Cambridgeshire 5 5 3 3 4 4 5 3 
			 Essex 21 20 15 9 17 12 18 18 
			 Hertfordshire 9 11 10 9 6 5 9 9 
			 Norfolk 9 8 4 3 5 5 12 11 
			 Suffolk 4 6 7 7 4 2 7 6 
			 Eastern total 55 57 42 35 41 33 57 53 
			  
			 Derbyshire 13 10 13 10 10 9 15 12 
			 Leicestershire 8 6 21 14 10 10 9 5 
			 Lincolnshire 5 5 13 8 4 4 5 5 
			 Northamptonshire 13 11 10 9 8 8 3 4 
			 Nottinghamshire 16 18 12 11 15 9 8 8 
			 East Midlands total 55 50 69 52 47 40 40 34 
			  
			 Greater London 112 107 76 79 106 82 51 56 
			  
			 Cleveland 7 11 3 3 4 3 6 5 
			 Durham 9 9 5 4 10 10 7 8 
			 Northumberland 5 5 2 3 5 2 2 2 
			 Tyne and Wear 5 5 9 16 8 6 5 5 
			 North East total 26 30 19 26 27 21 20 20 
			  
			 Cheshire 12 13 10 9 11 9 12 12 
			 Cumbria 9 8 7 7 7 7 9 6 
			 Greater Manchester 33 34 33 27 41 39 25 26 
			 Lancashire 27 26 24 23 22 18 21 21 
			 Merseyside 16 10 24 24 12 9 27 26 
			 North West total 97 91 98 90 93 82 94 91 
			  
			 Berkshire 7 6 10 10 5 4 9 8 
			 Buckinghamshire 13 12 2 2 6 5 10 9 
			 East Sussex 11 11 17 11 8 5 6 5 
			 Hampshire 9 10 10 12 10 11 23 18 
			 Isle of Wight 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 
			 Kent 11 11 8 6 12 11 14 14 
			 Oxfordshire 5 5 15 10 10 5 2 2 
			 Surrey 12 10 8 7 12 12 6 7 
			 West Sussex 7 6 5 7 11 10 6 6 
			 South East total 76 72 76 66 74 63 76 69 
			  
			 Avon 9 8 6 7 10 10 9 9 
			 Cornwall 9 10 6 6 3 3 6 5 
			 Devon 8 9 11 9 8 8 14 14 
			 Dorset 5 5 4 4 10 9 1 2 
			 Gloucestershire 8 6 3 3 7 4 5 5 
			 Isles of Scilly 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Somerset 4 4 6 8 2 1 1 1 
			 Wiltshire 4 4 1 1 2 2 4 4 
			 South West total 47 46 37 38 42 37 40 40 
			  
			 Hereford and Worcester 14 8 6 4 4 5 3 2 
			 Shropshire 5 6 2 2 3 2 9 9 
			 Staffordshire 15 13 10 12 8 9 11 11 
			 Warwickshire 4 3 4 5 5 5 7 6 
			 West Midlands 24 22 25 24 23 22 33 38 
			 West Midlands total 62 52 47 47 43 43 63 66 
			  
			 Humberside 18 14 14 11 7 7 14 12 
			 North Yorkshire 12 10 10 10 9 7 5 5 
			 South Yorkshire 7 6 13 14 13 15 14 16 
			 West Yorkshire 29 28 25 25 30 29 26 25 
			 Yorkshire and Humber total 66 58 62 60 59 58 59 58 
		
	
	
		
			   2001  2002  2003  2004 
			  FRS area  Provisional  Final  Provisional  Final  Provisional  Final  Provisional  Final 
			 England 473 458 434 416 491 462 395 368 
			  
			 Bedfordshire 4 4 4 4 8 8 2 2 
			 Cambridgeshire 3 3 2 2 5 6 5 7 
			 Essex 10 7 11 13 15 14 9 10 
			 Hertfordshire 8 7 8 8 1 1 2 1 
			 Norfolk 7 7 6 3 5 5 3 3 
			 Suffolk 5 5 5 5 6 6 2 2 
			 Eastern total 37 33 36 35 40 40 23 25 
			  
			 Derbyshire 6 6 14 14 13 13 9 7 
			 Leicestershire 7 7 11 10 6 6 11 12 
			 Lincolnshire 4 4 7 4 6 5 6 5 
			 Northamptonshire 4 3 3 4 5 3 6 6 
			 Nottinghamshire 7 8 9 9 8 7 6 6 
			 East Midlands total 28 28 44 41 38 34 38 36 
			  
			 Greater London 71 77 74 73 74 76 52 57 
			  
			 Cleveland 8 8 2 2 11 11 5 3 
			 Durham 6 6 4 4 10 9 6 4 
			 Northumberland 6 6 2 2 4 3 1 1 
			 Tyne and Wear 8 9 4 4 13 12 3 5 
			 North East total 28 29 12 12 38 35 15 13 
			  
			 Cheshire 11 11 10 11 11 8 8 5 
			 Cumbria 8 7 5 5 7 7 9 8 
			 Greater Manchester 35 35 24 23 33 33 24 23 
			 Lancashire 15 15 23 25 16 14 19 17 
			 Merseyside 19 17 10 9 13 11 14 15 
			 North West total 88 85 72 73 80 73 74 68 
			  
			 Berkshire 4 6 4 4 9 9 4 3 
			 Buckinghamshire 7 7 7 7 6 5 5 3 
			 East Sussex 6 6 3 4 6 6 13 8 
			 Hampshire 17 13 6 9 15 14 9 7 
			 Isle of Wight 2 2 1 1 0 0 0 0 
			 Kent 22 19 11 11 13 12 7 7 
			 Oxfordshire 3 3 8 7 6 5 2 3 
			 Surrey 4 3 7 8 12 11 6 5 
			 West Sussex 5 3 6 5 6 6 13 13 
			 South East total 70 62 53 56 73 68 59 49 
			  
			 Avon 10 8 9 9 8 6 6 6 
			 Cornwall 7 6 2 3 3 4 3 3 
			 Devon 4 4 4 4 8 9 3 2 
			 Dorset 9 9 11 11 6 6 9 6 
			 Gloucestershire 3 3 5 5 7 7 1 1 
			 Isles of Scilly 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Somerset 8 8 5 5 4 5 5 4 
			 Wiltshire 5 5 6 4 4 4 1 1 
			 South West total 46 43 42 41 40 41 28 23 
			  
			 Hereford and Worcester 5 4 6 5 4 4 6 4 
			 Shropshire 3 3 3 4 6 6 8 6 
			 Staffordshire 8 9 7 7 5 5 8 8 
			 Warwickshire 8 8 6 3 6 3 2 2 
			 West Midlands 34 30 29 20 21 20 27 24 
			 West Midlands total 58 54 51 39 42 38 51 44 
			  
			 Humberside 8 8 10 9 14 10 7 7 
			 North Yorkshire 3 4 6 7 6 6 4 2 
			 South Yorkshire 21 20 10 7 15 13 12 12 
			 West Yorkshire 15 15 24 23 31 28 32 32 
			 Yorkshire and Humber total 47 47 50 46 66 57 55 53 
		
	
	
		
			   2005  2006 
			  FRS area  Provisional  Final  Provisional 
			 England 379 388 405 
			 
			 Bedfordshire 8 8 5 
			 Cambridgeshire 6 6 6 
			 Essex 10 16 9 
			 Hertfordshire 4 4 5 
			 Norfolk 8 7 8 
			 Suffolk 5 5 8 
			 Eastern total 41 46 41 
			 
			 Derbyshire 4 3 3 
			 Leicestershire 5 5 9 
			 Lincolnshire 3 3 10 
			 Northamptonshire 4 4 8 
			 Nottinghamshire 9 7 9 
			 East Midlands total 25 22 39 
			 
			 Greater London 46 60 47 
			 
			 Cleveland 4 4 5 
			 Durham 5 5 5 
			 Northumberland 1 3 2 
			 Tyne and Wear 7 6 8 
			 North East total 17 18 20 
			 
			 Cheshire 8 9 4 
			 Cumbria 8 4 7 
			 Greater Manchester 37 36 29 
			 Lancashire 13 10 25 
			 Merseyside 12 17 5 
			 North West total 78 76 70 
			 
			 Berkshire 2 3 2 
			 Buckinghamshire 7 6 3 
			 East Sussex 4 4 8 
			 Hampshire 10 9 17 
			 Isle of Wight 1 1 1 
			 Kent 15 13 7 
			 Oxfordshire 3 2 4 
			 Surrey 14 12 9 
			 West Sussex 3 2 6 
			 South East total 59 52 57 
			 
			 Avon 9 10 7 
			 Cornwall 6 7 2 
			 Devon 6 4 10 
			 Dorset 3 3 5 
			 Gloucestershire 4 4 3 
			 Isles of Scilly 0 0 0 
			 Somerset 5 5 3 
			 Wiltshire 1 1 4 
			 South West total 34 34 34 
			 
			 Hereford and Worcester 3 3 4 
			 Shropshire 2 3 4 
			 Staffordshire 6 6 11 
			 Warwickshire 4 4 1 
			 West Midlands 24 23 30 
			 West Midlands total 39 39 50 
			 
			 Humberside 6 6 4 
			 North Yorkshire 5 3 7 
			 South Yorkshire 12 14 16 
			 West Yorkshire 17 18 20 
			 Yorkshire and Humber total 40 41 47

First-time Buyers

Don Touhig: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what discussions she has had with Ministerial colleagues on steps to assist first-time buyers to purchase homes.

Iain Wright: From time to time, including, in the context of the comprehensive spending review, ministerial colleagues discuss Government plans and review progress. This includes policy proposals for increasing the supply of affordable housing and further steps to assist first-time buyers on to the property ladder, including expanding the low cost home ownership programme, as set out in the Government's Housing Green Paper, published in July last year.

Floods

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many people have not yet returned to their homes following flooding in summer 2007.

John Healey: Around 48,000 households were affected by the June and July floods. As of 17 January, around 8,750 of these households remained wholly or partially displaced from their homes. This figure is based on the best available data provided by local authorities as part of the data collection for the January Flood Recovery Grant scheme.
	On 31 January I announced that nine councils with the largest number of households still displaced would receive a share of a further 1 million in Flood Recovery Grant to support the most vulnerable people in their communities affected by the floods. This brings the total paid out in Flood Recovery Grant to 18.4 million.

Floods: Finance

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how much funding has been allocated to local authorities under the extended Bellwin formula to provide 100 per cent. of the eligible costs arising from the floods in summer 2007; and if she will make a statement.

John Healey: To date, the Department has paid 8.8 million under the Bellwin scheme in respect of the 2007 floods. Under the standard 85 per cent. grant rate which usually applies for Bellwin schemes, 7.5 million would have been paid. More payments are expected shortly.

Floods: Finance

David Wilshire: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how much funding for flood relief and recovery in addition to that delivered through the local government settlement she will make available to Surrey County Council in 2008-09.

John Healey: In the aftermath of last summer's exceptional and widespread floods we have made available up to 71.8 million to date to assist the affected regions and help those in greatest need.
	The Department for Communities and Local Government has no plans in place at present to make any further funding available to Surrey county council for flood relief and recovery in 2008-09 in addition to that delivered through the local government settlement. If and when future emergencies occur the Government make available financial assistance to help local authorities deal with the aftermath.

Floods: Homelessness

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government 
	(1)  how many central homelessness advisers are working with local authorities affected by flooding in 2007; and if she will make a statement;
	(2)  how much further funding is planned to be made available to local authorities in  (a) 2007-08 and  (b) 2008-09 in respect of assistance for those residents currently in temporary accommodation due to flooding; and if she will make a statement.

John Healey: There are currently nine homelessness specialist advisers working with all local housing authorities. They are available to respond to requests from councils for support with their work to tackle and prevent homelessness effectively, including homelessness that has arisen due to flooding.
	To date, 18.4 million of Flood Recovery Grant has been released to local authorities hardest hit by the 2007 summer floods, of which 17.4 million was paid out in the June and July schemes, with funds being allocated to reflect the relative number of households affected. An additional 1 million was allocated in January 2008 to those local authorities with over 200 households still displaced as of 17 January 2008.
	Local authorities were able to decide how to best to use the Flood Recovery Grant based on their own local circumstances and needs.
	There are no current plans to make any more payments under the Flood Recovery Scheme to the authorities affected by the June and July 2007 floods.
	As part of our work on tackling homelessness, local housing authorities will receive homelessness grant of almost 100 million over the years 2007-08 and 2008-09 to support their strategies for tackling and preventing homelessness. This includes support to households who are in temporary accommodation.

Gravel

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government  
	(1)  what proportion of  (a) gravel and  (b) mineral demand she estimates will be met from (i) land, (ii) marine and (iii) recycled sources in the next (A) five, (B) 10 and (C) 20 years;
	(2)  what proportion of mineral extraction in the UK was from  (a) land,  (b) marine and  (c) recycled sources in each of the last three years;
	(3)  how many sites are being used for gravel extraction; how many sites have been used and have not been restored to their former condition in the last five years; and what the Government's policy is in respect of land that has not been restored;
	(4)  what forecasts of gravel demand have been made by her Department for the next  (a) five,  (b) 10 and  (c) 20 years;
	(5)  what the gravel extraction targets set for each local authority are for the next  (a) five,  (b) 10 and  (c) 20 years.

Iain Wright: My Department collects mineral extraction data for Great Britain. Of the minerals extracted, only sand and gravel are extracted from both the land and marine environments and these are shown in the following table for 2004-06.
	
		
			  Land-won and marine dredged aggregates extraction in Great Britain 
			  Million tonnes 
			   Land-won  Marine 
			 2004 200,737 12,996 
			 2005 191,228 13,025 
			 2006 193,163 13,974 
			  Source: Annual Minerals Raised Inquiry (PA 1007), 2004, 2005, 2006. ONS 
		
	
	Land-won and marine-dredged aggregate supply is augmented by supply of aggregates from the recycling of construction, demolition and excavation waste, as well as secondary materials, largely by-products of industrial processes. Total arisings in the last survey year, 2005, were estimated for Great Britain as 67.2 million tonnes.
	The current national forecasts for aggregates demand in England were published in 2003 as National and Regional Guidelines for Aggregates Provision in England, 2001-16. Guidelines are published at the national and regional level. They are not targets, nor are they set for individual local authorities. The current national guidelines are given as follows.
	
		
			  National and Regional Guidelines for Aggregates Provision in England 2001-16 
			   Million tonnes 
			 Land-won sand and gravel 1,068 
			 Land-won crushed rock 1,618 
			 Marine sand and gravel 230 
			 Alternative materials 919 
			 Net imports to England 169 
			 Total forecast demand 4,004 
		
	
	These guidelines are currently under review; a consultation will be published shortly and I will ensure the hon. Member receives a copy.
	There are 699 active sand and gravel extraction sites in the UK (British Geological Survey, 2008). We do not collect data on the number of sites that have been restored to their former condition. However, planning permissions for mineral working should contain conditions and legal agreements to ensure appropriate restoration, which are enforced by the mineral planning authority. Policy for the restoration of mineral working sites in England is set out in Minerals Policy Statement 1 Planning and Minerals.

Home Information Packs

Eric Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many home information packs were subsidised, in whole or in part, under the scheme to provide 0.5 million funding for energy performance certificates in home information packs ordered prior to 1 August; and what was the outturn expenditure of the scheme.

Caroline Flint: I refer the hon. Member to the replies given to the hon. Member for Beckenham (Mrs. Lait) on 30 October 2007,  Official Report, column 1163W and 10 October 2007,  Official Report, column 663W.

Home Information Packs

Eric Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government which organisations received subsidy for the production of energy performance certificates in home information packs ordered prior to 1 August.

Caroline Flint: The organisations were HIPs Direct, HIPSYNC, Prohip Ltd, Simply HIP and Richards Gray.

Home Information Packs

Mark Simmonds: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what estimate she has made of the number of  (a) energy performance certification assessors and  (b) energy performance certificates for non-dwellings that will be required in the first six months after the introduction of the scheme.

Caroline Flint: The number of assessors needed will depend on market conditions and on the level of demand for voluntary certificates ahead of time.

Home Information Packs

Lembit �pik: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government pursuant to the oral answer of 15 January 2008,  Official Report, columns 780-1 on home information packs, if she will place in the Library copies of case studies of house purchases held by her Department which indicate that the purchase has been materially influenced by the content of a home information pack.

Caroline Flint: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Brentwood and Ongar (Mr. Pickles) on 21 January 2008,  Official Report, column 1526W.

Home Information Packs

Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government whether any  (a) home owners and  (b) estate agents have been fined for marketing a property without a home information pack.

Caroline Flint: No.

Home Information Packs: Pilot Schemes

Eric Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government which companies were commissioned to undertake  (a) qualitative and  (b) quantitative research for the home information pack dry run; and at what cost.

Caroline Flint: I refer the hon. Member to the answers given on 21 January 2008,  Official Report, column 1526W and 28 January 2008,  Official Report, column 117W.

Home Information Packs: Pilot Schemes

Bob Neill: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what the contractual deadline is for Ipsos-MORI to provide her Department with its research into the home information pack trials; and when she plans to publish this research.

Caroline Flint: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 21 January 2008,  Official Report, column 1526-27W, to the hon. Member for Brentwood and Ongar (Mr. Pickles).

Home Information Packs: Pilot Schemes

Bob Neill: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many home sellers took part in each home information pack area trial.

Caroline Flint: I refer the hon. Member to the home information packs update written ministerial statement made on 22 November 2007,  Official Report, columns 140-42WS.
	IPSOS-MORI is still in the process of finalising its conclusions and a copy of the research report will be placed in the Library of the House once the project has been finalised.

Home Information Packs: Surveying

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many accredited surveyors for home information packs there were in each district and unitary council area on 1 January 2008.

Caroline Flint: The most recently published numbers of accredited assessors, broken down by region, are available on the dedicated home information pack website:
	http://www.homeinformationpacks.gov.uk/industry/163_ Assessorinspectornums.html
	Regular updates are provided on this site

Homelessness

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many homeless people there were in  (a) England,  (b) each English region,  (c) Tees Valley district and  (d) Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland constituency in each of the last 10 years; and how many of these were under 25 years old.

Iain Wright: Information about local authorities' actions under homelessness legislation is collected quarterly at local authority level, in respect of households rather than people. This information includes the number of households accepted by local authorities as eligible for assistance, unintentionally homeless and in priority need, and therefore owed a main homelessness duty. The duty owed to an accepted household is to secure suitable accommodation. If a settled home is not immediately available, the authority may secure temporary accommodation until a settled home becomes available.
	National and regional data on acceptances and temporary accommodation over the last 10 years are published in our quarterly statistical release on Statutory Homelessness, in tables 3 and 7. Key data (including acceptances and temporary accommodation) are shown at local authority level in Supplementary Tables accompanying the release. These are also published on our website and placed in the Library each quarter. The latest release was published on 10 December 2007 and contains data for the period up to July to September 2007.
	http://www.communities.gov.uk/housing/housingresearch/housingstatistics/housingstatisticsby/homelessnessstatistics/publicationshomelessness/
	Since 1998, information has also been collected on the number of people who sleep roughthat is, those who are literally roofless on a single nightand these are also published on our website, nationally and by local authority:
	http://www.communities.gov.uk/housing/homelessness/publicationsabouthomelessness/roughsleepingstatistics/
	A table summarising homelessness figures for each local authority for the past 10 years, including (a) the total number of households accepted as owed the main homelessness duty, (b) the total number of households in temporary accommodation and (c) the mid-year estimates of the number of rough sleepers, was placed in the Library of the House on 8 October 2007, as part of the answer given to the hon. Member for South-East Cambridgeshire (Mr. Paice).
	The local authorities comprising the Tees valley District are Darlington, Hartlepool, Middlesbrough, Redcar and Cleveland, and Stockton-on-Tees. The constituency of Middlesbrough, South and East Cleveland falls within two local authorities: Middlesbrough, and Redcar and Cleveland.
	Data on acceptances by age-band of applicant are available from the April-June 2006 quarter onwards, and are provided in the Statistical Release at the national level (table 10(b)). The first age-band is those applicants who are aged between 16 and 24 years old (all applicants must be 16 or over).
	A table showing acceptances by age-band of applicant by local authority and region has been deposited in the Library of the House.
	No such age breakdown is collected for households in temporary accommodation, or the rough sleeper estimates.

Homelessness

Karen Buck: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many households were assisted with securing private rented accommodation by homelessness units in  (a) England,  (b) each English region and  (c) each London local authority area in each year since 2003-04.

Caroline Flint: This information requested is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Homes and Communities Agency

Eric Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government whether the proposed powers of the Homes and Communities Agency to enter and survey land will include powers to enter  (a) domestic and  (b) business premises.

Caroline Flint: Yes, the powers of the Homes and Communities Agency will include power for a person authorised by the Agency to enter and survey land, including domestic and business premises. However, this power may only be exercised within the statutory framework: the power arises only in connection with a proposal by the Agency to acquire land or a claim for compensation in respect of an acquisition of land by the Agency. Land may only be entered in order to survey it or to estimate the value of the land.
	This proposed power mirrors a power of the current Urban Regeneration Agency (part of English Partnerships) that is set out in the Leasehold Reform, Housing and Urban Development Act 1993.

Homes and Communities Agency

Lembit �pik: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government whether she plans to require a net return to the public purse from the regulatory work of the Homes and Communities Agency; what discussions she has had with the Treasury on the matter; and if she will make a statement.

Caroline Flint: The Homes and Communities Agency will be an investment body and will have no regulatory role.
	Under the Housing and Regeneration Bill, all of the regulator functions of the Housing Corporation will pass to Oftenantthe new social housing regulator. The Bill gives the regulator no powers to make payments to central Government (except as repayment of loans) and the Secretary of State no power to require it to do so. The Bill also requires the regulator, when setting fees to registered providers, to ensure that:
	fee income matches expenditure on the performance of functions;
	each fee is reasonable and proportionate to the costs to which it relates; and
	actual or potential registered providers can see the relationship between the amount of a fee and the costs to which it relates.

Housing Renewal Areas: Private Sector

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government whether she plans to review the effect of private investor activity within housing renewal areas in the next 12 months; and if she will make a statement.

Iain Wright: The Department and individual pathfinders have been responsible for evaluating the impact of the Housing Market Renewal Program (HMR) in designated areas across the UK. The HMR partnerships regularly assess the key drivers of local housing markets and the prevailing market conditions as a fundamental part of establishing strong housing markets across pathfinder areas.
	An independent review to improve the private rented sector was also recently commissioned in January by the then Housing and Planning Minister, my right hon. Friend the Member for Pontefract and Castleford. The review will look at how the increasing number of buy to let accommodation and student tenants has impacted on the private rented sector, the quality of homes and who the users of the sector are. It will also examine the impact of demographic and social change on the future demand and supply in the sector. The Government will consider the review's recommendations to see what else can be done to improve the sector for both landlords and tenants. We expect the review to be presented to Ministers by October 2008.

Housing: Energy

Eric Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what the  (a) planned expenditure is and  (b) expenditure to date has been on providing free energy performance certificates; how many have been subsidised to date; and what the target is for the number to be subsidised.

Caroline Flint: I refer the hon. Member to the replies given to the hon. Member for Beckenham (Mrs. Lait) on 30 October 2007,  Official Report, column 1163W and 10 October 2007,  Official Report, column 663 W.

Housing: Low Incomes

Karen Buck: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many tenants in social housing were evicted in each of the last 10 years.

Caroline Flint: We do not have the information on how many tenants were evicted over the last 10 years. However, as part of the Housing Strategy and Statistical Appendix returns, Communities and Local Government have asked local authority landlords in England to submit data on tenants in social housing who were evicted. This was commenced for the period 2005-06. These data were considered not to be of a reliable quality. We are currently assessing the quality of the data returns for 2006-07.
	The Housing Corporation collects data on evictions. According to its Regulatory and Statistical Returns for the periods 2004-05, 2005-06 and 2006-07, the number of evictions from registered social landlord properties are as follows:
	
		
			   Number 
			 2004-05 13,370 
			 2005-06 12,145 
			 2006-07 11,384

Housing: Overcrowding

Karen Buck: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what proportion of  (a) private,  (b) registered social landlord and  (c) local authority households were estimated to be overcrowded in (i) England, (ii) each English region and (iii) each London borough in (A) 1990, (B) 2000 and (C) 2006.

Iain Wright: Estimates of the percentages of households in each regions and in each tenure that were overcrowded in  (a) 1998-99 to 2000-01 and  (b) 2004-05 to 2006-07 are set out in the two tables as follows. All estimates in this answer are based on the Bedroom Standard definition of overcrowding.
	
		
			  Estimated percentage of households that were overcrowded, by tenure and by region, England: 1998 - 99 to 2000 - 01 
			  Region  Owner occupiers  Private renters  Social renters  All tenures 
			 North East 1.2 3.0 2.5 1.7 
			 North West 1.9 1.9 3.5 2.2 
			 Yorkshire and Humber 1.2 3.0 3.5 1.9 
			 East Midlands 1.1 2.7 3.4 1.7 
			 West Midlands 1.8 3.2 4.2 2.5 
			 Eastern 1.1 2.0 4.2 1.7 
			 London 2.7 6.3 11.1 5.5 
			 South East 0.9 3.1 4.9 1.7 
			 South West 1.1 3.4 4.3 1.9 
			 England 1.5 3.5 5.2 2.4 
		
	
	
		
			  Estimated percentage of households that were overcrowded by tenure and by region, England: 2004-05 to 2006-07 
			  Region  Owner occupiers  Private renters  Social renters  All tenures 
			 North East 1.0 3.1 3.3 1.7 
			 North West 1.6 4.5 3.6 2.3 
			 Yorkshire and Humber 1.3 3.1 2.8 1.8 
			 East Midlands 0.8 3.4 4.1 1.6 
			 West Midlands 1.9 4.7 4.4 2.8 
			 Eastern 1.1 3.2 4.1 1.9 
			 London 2.7 10.5 12.1 6.6 
			 South East 0.9 2.8 6.6 2.0 
			 South West 0.8 3.1 4.3 1.6 
			 England 1.4 5.0 5.8 2.7 
			  Source:  Survey of English Housing 
		
	
	The figures shown have been averaged over three successive survey years. This is because the sample of overcrowded households in a single year is too small to provide reliable annual estimates. Separate estimates of overcrowding among households in council housing and RSL housing are not reliableso a combined estimate covering all social renters is shown.
	Comparable figures for 1990 are not available.
	Estimates for individual local authorities are not routinely available because of sample size considerations. However, the results of a one-off model are available based on a combination of three years of data from both the Survey of English Housing and DWP's Family Resources Survey for 2000-01, 2001-02 and 2002-03. Based on this model, estimates of the percentages of households in each London borough that were overcrowded during the three-year period 2000-01 to 2002-03 are set out in the following table. These figures cover all tenures. Reliable estimates by tenure are not available. The publication from which the overcrowding estimates for London boroughs have been taken can be accessed at the following link:
	http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/housing/overcrowding
	
		
			  Estimated proportion of overcrowded households in each London borough, 2000-01 to 2002-03 
			  London borough  P ercentage 
			 Barking and Dagenham 3.1 
			 Barnet 4.0 
			 Bexley 1.5 
			 Brent 7.5 
			 Bromley 1.5 
			 Camden 4.6 
			 Croydon 3.3 
			 Ealing 7.3 
			 Enfield 4.2 
			 Greenwich 2.5 
			 Hackney 8.4 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham 3.5 
			 Haringey 8.3 
			 Harrow 3.8 
			 Havering 2.0 
			 Hillingdon 3.5 
			 Hounslow 4.4 
			 Islington 8.3 
			 Kensington and Chelsea 6.0 
			 Kingston upon Thames 1.8 
			 Lambeth 5.1 
			 Lewisham 2.6 
			 Merton 4.2 
			 Newham 12.5 
			 Redbridge 5.1 
			 Richmond upon Thames 2.4 
			 Southwark 7.8 
			 Sutton 2.6 
			 Tower Hamlets 11.7 
			 Waltham Forest 7.9 
			 Wandsworth 3.6 
			 City of London and City of Westminster(1) 5.2 
			 (1) The sample of cases for City of London was too small to allow separate results to be produced, so these were combined with a neighbouring larger authority, City of Westminster.

Housing: Standards

Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how much has been spent on bringing homes up to the decent homes standard in each of the last 10 years; and if she will make a statement.

Iain Wright: In total over 23 billion has been invested in improving social housing since 1997. Annual figures are provided in the following table. The figures represent the estimated expenditure maintaining the housing stock condition at a sustainable level (including the Decent Homes standard) over the last nine years.
	
		
			   Total investment (LA + RSL) M ( billion) 
			 1997-98 1.89 
			 1998-99 2.08 
			 1999-2000 1.77 
			 2000-01 2.09 
			 2001-02 2.55 
			 2002-03 2.94 
			 2003-04 3.16 
			 2004-05 3.51 
			 2005-06 3.65 
		
	
	We expect 2006-07 data on housing capital expenditure to be available shortly.

Housing: Thames Gateway

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many homes have been built in the Thames Gateway area since 2003.

Caroline Flint: The number of new build completions for local authorities that intersect the Thames Gateway is estimated as 44,700 dwellings between April 2003 until March 2007. It is estimated that 26,400 of these dwellings lie within the Thames Gateway boundary.
	 Source:
	New build completions from P2 returns submitted by local authorities and National House Building Council (NHBC).

Housing: Thames Gateway

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many new homes built since 1 January 2003 in the Thames Gateway area have been located on brownfield land; and if she will make a statement.

Caroline Flint: It is estimated that approximately 23,000 dwellings were built on previously-developed (brownfield) land in the Thames Gateway between 2003 and 2006. This is 87 per cent. of all new dwellings in the Thames Gateway. Data for 2007 and 2008 are not yet available.
	This is based on analysis using land use change statistics and housebuilding completions figures.

Housing: Thames Gateway

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what the terms of reference are of the housing audit to be undertaken by the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment in respect of the Thames Gateway area; and if she will make a statement.

Caroline Flint: Between 2004 and 2007 the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment (CABE), completed a national audit of the design quality of new and private housing development in England. The criteria applied in the audit were based on those used by Building for Life, a joint initiative of the CABE, the House Builders Federation and the Civic Trust.
	CLG will be asking CABE to repeat its audit for the Thames Gateway area in 2010 and 2015 to report on progress towards improving design quality. This work has not been formally commissioned from CABE yet.

Intimidation

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many cases of bullying have been reported in  (a) her Department and  (b) its agencies in each of the last 12 months.

Parmjit Dhanda: The Department for Communities and Local Government have had no cases of bullying reported in the last 12 months. The Department's agencies have had four cases of bullying reported in this period.
	We cannot further disaggregate that number by month or by Executive agency to protect the identity of the individuals concerned.

Kent

Stephen Ladyman: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what funds in the form of  (a) revenue payments,  (b) capital grants and  (c) supported borrowing for which her Department is responsible have been made available to (i) Kent County Council, (ii) Thanet District Council and (iii) Dover District Council in 2007-08.

John Healey: The following table sets out the amount of  (a) revenue payments and  (b) capital grants which this Department plans to make in 2007-08 to (i) Kent county council, (ii) Thanet district council and (iii) Dover district council.
	
		
			   million 
			   Kent CC  Thanet DC  Dover DC  Total 
			  Revenue 
			 Formula grants 228.685 12.764 9.957 251.406 
			 Other grants and payments 35.156 4.965 0.738 40.859 
			  
			  Capital 20.453 6.323 1.727 28.503 
		
	
	No supported borrowing has been offered by this Department.

Land: Southlands Hospital, Shoreham-by-Sea

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government 
	(1)  what discussions her Department has had with developers about the use of surplus land at Southlands hospital in Shoreham-by-Sea;
	(2)  what plans she has for the disposal of land at Southlands Hospital, Shoreham-by-Sea, deemed surplus for requirements.

Caroline Flint: English Partnerships acquired part of the Southlands hospital site (4.4ha) in 2006, one of a portfolio of 96 sites acquired by them from the Department of Health. The remainder of the site did not transfer to English Partnerships and remains in the ownership of the NHS Trust.
	Approximately 0.6 ha of the site owned by English Partnerships has been reserved for West Sussex county council to accommodate a new 60-bed care home which is currently under construction. On the remainder of the site English Partnerships has undergone an intensive due diligence and competitive marketing process and is currently negotiating with a developer who will then acquire the site under a building license. A joint planning application will soon be submitted for a minimum of 200 homes with 35 per cent. affordable housing, as required by the local authority, and the subsequent development will achieve both English Partnerships' own quality standards and Level 3 of the code for sustainable homes. Buildings on the site which are deemed of architectural merit and are capable of conversion will be refurbished.
	In addition to providing high-quality and affordable homes, English Partnerships is also working with Adur district council to ensure that community facilities are integrated into the overall scheme.

Landlords: Licensing

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government which local authorities have designated areas where landlords must be licensed; and, in each case, what assessment has been made of the effectiveness of such designations.

Iain Wright: The following local authorities have been granted approval to administer selective licensing schemes under part 3 of the Housing Act 2004.
	
		
			  Local authority  Designation  Date of commencement 
			 Salford city council Seedley and Langworthy renewal area 25 May 2007 
			
			 Middlesbrough borough council Gresham and part of Middlehaven wards 5 June 2007 
			
			 Manchester city council Harpurhey ward 3 August 2007 
			  Bradford ward 3 August 2007 
			  Gorton North and South wards 2 November 2007 
			
			 Gateshead borough council Sunderland Road Area 25 September 2007 
			
			 Sedgefield borough council Dean Bank and Chilton West 7 February 2008 
		
	
	Implementation of the schemes is conducted at a local level, and local authorities are required to monitor and review the designations under section 84 of the 2004 Act.

Licensed Premises

Eric Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government pursuant to the answer of 17 December 2007,  Official Report, column 1146W, on licensed premises, what the permitted hours are that the Eland Darts Club may supply alcohol; and how much was spent on the venue in the last year for which figures are available.

Parmjit Dhanda: The Darts Club in Eland House, which is entirely self-financing, is licensed to sell alcohol between the hours of 12.30 pm to 11.00 pm Monday to Friday except bank holidays, although it only opens for a very small proportion of those hours. The club has run a bar since at least 1972. No money was spent on the venue in the last year.

Local Authorities: Public Participation

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government whether she is monitoring the expenditure of local authorities on local involvement networks.

John Healey: There are no plans to monitor the expenditure of local authorities on Local Involvement Networks (LIN).
	LIN funding is part of the Department of Health's contribution to the Area Based Grant, payment of which is administered by Communities and Local Government.
	Area Based Grant is a general (non-ring fenced) grant to local authorities without terms and conditions attached.

Local Authorities: Small Businesses

Lorely Burt: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government which local authorities had signed the Small Business Friendly Concordat by 31 January 2008; and what proportion of local authorities in England this represents.

John Healey: Records maintained by Communities and Local Government indicate that currently 163 local authorities in England have signed up to the Small Business Friendly Concordat, approximately 42 per cent. of councils. A list of local authorities that have adopted the Concordat is available at:
	http://www.communities.gov.uk/localgovemment/efficiency better/nationalprocurementprogramme/nationalprocurement strategy/smallbusinessfriendly/authoritieswhohave/

Local Government Finance

Eric Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how much and what proportion of  (a) aggregate external finance and  (b) local authority revenue expenditure will be ring-fenced in (i) 2007-08 and (ii) 2008-09 (A) including and (B) excluding the dedicated schools grant element.

John Healey: Including dedicated schools grant (DSG), the level of ring-fencing of aggregate external finance (AEF) to local authorities is 36.0 billion or 53.9 per cent. in 2007-08 and will be 36.0 billion or 51.8 per cent. in 2008-09. Excluding DSG, the comparable levels are 7.9 billion or 20.4 per cent. and 6.9 billion or 17.1 per cent. respectively.
	Information on local authority revenue expenditure for 2007-08 will not be available until towards the end of 2008 when revenue outturn statistics are published. Similarly local authority revenue expenditure outturn for 2008-09 will not be available until towards the end of 2009.

Local Government Finance

Julia Goldsworthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what the real terms change in Government grant for local authorities was  (a) excluding ring fenced schools grants and the same proportion of the education standard spending assessment as the schools formula spending share represented in 2003-04 of the educational formula spending share in each of the years 1997-98 to 2002-03,  (b) excluding ring fenced school grants and the schools formula spending share in each year from 2003-04 to 2005-06 and  (c) (i) including and (ii) excluding ring fenced school grants in (A) 2006-07 and (B) 2007-08; and what the real terms change is expected to be (1) including and (2) excluding ring fenced school grants in (x) 2008-09, (y) 2009-10 and (z) 2010-11.

John Healey: holding answer 7 February 2008
	Standard spending assessments and formula spending shares were grant distribution mechanisms, and were not elements of Government grant. It is not therefore an appropriate basis on which to calculate grant in the manner suggested in relation to  (a) and  (b). It is also not possible to calculate the increase for 2006-07 for  (c), because there is no comparable figure for 2005-06.
	The real terms increase in Government grant for 2007-08 to 2010-11 including ring-fenced schools grants on a like for like basis is as follows:
	
		
			   Percentage 
			 2007-08 1.7 
			 2008-09 1.2 
			 2009-10 1.6 
			 2010-11 1.6 
		
	
	The real terms increase in Government grant excluding ring-fenced schools grants on a like for like basis is as follows:
	
		
			   Percentage 
			 2007-08 1.7 
			 2008-09 1.2 
			 2009-10 1.9 
			 2010-11 1.3

Local Government Finance: Cheshire

Helen Southworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what funding has been allocated by her Department, its associated agencies and non-departmental bodies to  (a) Warrington and  (b) Cheshire in each year since 1997; and for what purpose the funds have been allocated in each case.

John Healey: holding answer 7 February 2008
	The following tables set out the payments made by this Department to  (a) Warrington borough council and  (b) Cheshire county council since 2002. Information on funding prior to 2002-03 could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
	
		
			  (a) Warrington borough council 
			   million 
			  Programme  2002-03  2003-04  2004-05  2005-06  2006-07  2007-08( 1)  Total 
			 Regional Housing Pot   1.281 1.195 1.087 0.989 4.552 
			 Planning Delivery Grant  0.075 0.493 0.171 0.305 0.276 1.320 
			 Decent HomesArms Length Management Organisation Programme   4.31 13.967 5.958 5.964 30.199 
			 Disabled Facilities Grant 0.385 0.409 0.463 0.463 0.537 0.537 2.794 
			 Private Sector Renewal Housing Grant 0.008 0.001 0.0100.019 
			 Homelessness Grants 0.028 0.034 0.040 0.060 0.079 0.060 0.301 
			 Supporting People Administrator Grant 0.182 0.234 0.204 0.138 0.138 0.138 1.034 
			 Supporting People Programme  8.275 8.156 7.745 7.611 7.611 39.398 
			 Local Authority Social Housing Grant  0.002 0.012 0.011   0.025 
			 Clawback Grant   0.3880.388 
			 Gypsy Site Needs Assessment Grant 0.008  0.008 
			 Local Government Capacity Building0.002  0.001 0.003 
			 Local Government Online 0.500 0.200 0.350 0.150   1.200 
			 Local PSA Performance Fund 0.949   1.725 2.669 0.472 5.815 
			 National Non Domestic Rates 58.709 57.604 53.485 64.384 39.629 41.333 315.144 
			 Private Finance Initiative Special Grant0.352 0.333 0.249 0.934 
			 Revenue Support Grant (a) 56.919 72.607 80.405 78.418 7.650 6.937 302.936 
			 Safer and Stronger Communities Fund0.002   0.002 
			 Total 117.680 139.44 149.597 168.783 66.004 64.567 706.072 
			 (1) Forecast (2) From 2006-07 Revenue Support Grants were reduced due to the transfer of funding to the Department for Children, Schools and Families for Dedicated School Grant. 
		
	
	
		
			  (b) Cheshire county council 
			   million 
			  Programme  2002-03  2003-04  2004-05  2005-06  2006-07  2007-08( 1)  Total 
			 Planning Delivery Grant   0.059 0.085 0.099 0.025 0.268 
			 Choice Based Lettings 0.106  0.106 
			 Supporting People Administration Grant 0.414 0.528 0.613 0.580 0.580 0.580 3.295 
			 Supporting People Programme  22.577 22.376 21.117 20.709 20.538 107.317 
			 New DimensionMass Decontamination Training and Crewing Grant   0.034 0.070 0.070 0.070 0.244 
			 New DimensionUrban Search and Rescue Training and Crewing Grant   0.116 0.150 0.075 0.075 0.416 
			 New Dimension Mass DecontaminationAccommodation Grant0.005   0.005 
			 New DimensionUrban Search and Rescue Accommodation Grant0.012   0.012 
			 New DimensionNew Burdens Grant (Misc) 0.003 0.177 0.180 
			 Fire Control RoomsNew Burdens Grant0.015 0.094  0.109 
			 Arson Grants 0.037 0.091 0.136 0.124 0.026  0.414 
			 SR2002 Challenge Fund  0.064 0.064 0.064   0.192 
			 Audit of Pay Award   0.0170.017 
			 Transitional Funding Grant   0.4710.471 
			 Smoke Alarms Grant   0.051 0.051 0.051 0.102 0.255 
			 Fire Prevention Grant 0.065 0.065 0.130 
			 Invest to Save Respect Project  0.650 0.650 
			 Fire Fighters Pension Top-up 0.385 3.201 3.586 
			 Electoral Law  0.002 0.002 
			 Local Authority Business Growth Incentives0.771 2.368 0.189 3.328 
			 LG Capacity Building   0.006 0.005   0.011 
			 Local Government Online 0.200 0.200 0.350 0.150   0.900 
			 Local PSA Performance Fund 1.422 0.050 0.834 5.215 4.928  12.449 
			 National Non Domestic Rates 176.658 179.739 169.962 206.565 72.848 75.997 881.769 
			 Private Finance Initiatives Special Grant  1.044 1.885 1.389 1.389 1.042 6.749 
			 Revenue Support Grant (a) 144.450 184.761 210.413 199.909 14.062 12.754 766.349 
			 Total 323.181 389.056 407.387 436.277 117.858 115.465 1,789.224 
			 (1) Forecast (2) From 2006-07 Revenue Support Grants were reduced due to the transfer of funding to the Department for Children, Schools and Families for Dedicated School Grant. 
		
	
	For the Department's associated agencies and non-departmental public bodies, complete information is not available other than at disproportionate cost.

Local Government: Reorganisation

Bob Neill: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government for what reason the recent draft statutory instruments on local government restructuring were replaced with new ones in substitution; and what changes were made between the two versions.

John Healey: There are no differences of substance between the original orders laid on 17 December and the substitute versions. The differences are small textual changes for clarification purposes, and some cross references in essence to provide greater consistency between the orders.

Members: Correspondence

Alan Beith: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what the reasons are for the time taken to reply to the letter from the right hon. Member for Berwick-upon-Tweed of  (a) 16 October and  (b) 4 December 2007 relating to a freedom of information request from Mr. M. Maud of Ancroft, Berwick-upon-Tweed.

Parmjit Dhanda: My right hon. Friend has now replied to the right hon. Member.

Minister for the West Midlands

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government at which high level events and with regard to which high level projects the Minister for the west midlands has championed the region as referred to in paragraph 118 of The Governance of Britain.

Parmjit Dhanda: The regional Minister has undertaken a tour of the region where he set priorities and challenges for the region. He is now developing a programme of visits within the region over the next three months to take these forward. The high level projects the Minister has championed include:
	the launch of the joint Regional Economic Strategy and draft Regional Spatial Strategythe first UK region to do so;
	the development of the regions first Skills strategy due to be launched in March 2008 and work to support proposals for the redevelopment of Birmingham New Street station;
	the development of a set of regional transport priorities;
	the development of proposals for academic health science centres in response to his challenge to the region's health leaders to join teaching, research and delivery of health services in a single effort;
	the promotion of the west midlands as a trading partner including a high level visit to India;
	a set of regional challenges to improve the reputation and creative industries of the region.

Multiple Occupation: Fines

Margaret Moran: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many fines have been levied against landlords for breaches of licence provisions for houses in multiple occupation in the last 12 months; and what the value of all such fines was.

Iain Wright: The Department for Communities and Local Government does not hold this information. The Ministry of Justice collects data on fines levied against landlords who fail to comply with the Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO) Licensing provisions under the Housing Act 2004. Data for 2007 will be available in autumn 2008.

Multiple Occupation: Licensing

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what feedback she has received from enforcement authorities on the implementation of the National Licensing Scheme for Houses in Multiple Occupation.

Iain Wright: holding answer 28 January 2008
	The Department is satisfied, through its discussions with the Local Authorities Co-ordinators of Regulatory Services (LACORS), who co-ordinate and report on local authority implementation, that local authorities are making progress in implementing the mandatory HMO licensing provisions. For example, a recent survey conducted by LACORs concluded that 86 per cent. of councils were already using a range of tools to identify HMOs being operated illegally without a licence.

New Local Government Network

Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what payments her Department and its predecessor made to the New Local Government Network since 2002.

John Healey: Our records show 10 payments have been made to the New Local Government Network by this Department or its predecessor since 2002. Total payments amounted to 33,152.70 and were in respect of small items of research, consultation events and attendance of officials at a conference organised by New Local Government Network.

Non-Profit Making Associations

Margaret Moran: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many contracts her Department has with social enterprises; and what the value of each of those contracts is.

Parmjit Dhanda: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Minister for Local Government (John Healey) on 17 July 2007,  O fficial Report, column 216W. Since that reply and in September 2007, a mechanism was implemented, enabling new departmental vendors to be identified as social enterprises. To date no new departmental vendors have been identified as social enterprises and consequently no new contracts can be identified.

Non-Profit Making Organisations

Margaret Moran: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what her Department's  (a) procurement and  (b) tendering policy is in respect of social enterprises.

Parmjit Dhanda: The Department's procurement policy and therefore guidance encourages the use of social enterprises.
	The Department encourages the use of internet based websites (procurement portals) to ensure equality of opportunity to social enterprises and other similar groups.
	The Department recognises the costs associated with tendering and how these can impact negatively on the capability of certain groups to participate equally in tendering.
	By adopting the use of procurement portals, Government Departments are consolidating where procurement opportunities are advertised, so reducing suppliers costs associated with locating such opportunities, and therefore promoting the potential use of social enterprises and other similar groups.

Political Impartiality

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government for what purpose her Department records the political opinions of  (a) staff and  (b) the public.

Parmjit Dhanda: Civil servants in Communities and Local Government are required to act in accordance with the requirements of the Civil Service Code, and section 4.4 of the Civil Service Management Code.
	Members of the public who apply for public appointments within the jurisdiction of the Commissioner for Public Appointments are asked to complete a declaration on political activity.

Preventing Violent Extremism Pathfinder Fund: Finance

Paul Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government whether she plans to increase levels of funding for the Preventing Violent Extremism Pathfinder Fund over the next three years.

Parmjit Dhanda: On 31 October 2007, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State announced 45 million in funding for local partnerships' work to prevent violent extremism.

Property Information Systems Common Exchange Standard

Bob Neill: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what the annual cost is of her Department's membership of the Property Information Systems Common Exchange Standard; and for what purpose it is a member.

Parmjit Dhanda: The cost to the Department for membership, in 2008, of the Property Information Systems Common Exchange Standard (PISCES) is 11,750. PISCES is an industry group that sets voluntary standards for exchange of data relating to the property industry. PISCES has been involved in developing the standards relating to the technical data requirements for the Home Condition Report and Energy Performance Certificate Register.

Property: Databases

Bob Neill: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government which organisation is the custodian of Valuebill schemes; and whether she has plans to review the arrangement.

John Healey: Lead responsibility for Valuebill now rests with London Connects and the Valuation Office Agency. The Government have no plans to review the scheme.

Public Bodies: Internet

Bob Neill: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government pursuant to the answer of 18 December 2007,  Official Report, column 1342W, on public bodies: internet, what each XML schema in use by her Department is.

Parmjit Dhanda: We do not have a comprehensive, central record of XML schemas within the Department. However, CLG HQ has implemented a number of XML schemas to support direct, system to system interchange of data in connection with the following CLG policy areas:
	Fire and Resilience: collection of fire incident records.
	Housing: National Register of Social Housing; Register of Licensed Houses in Multiple Occupation; Electronic Survey of Empty Housing; and tenancy deposit schemes.
	Planning: planning applications; and land use monitoring returns.

Quarrying: Public Participation

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many public inquiries concerning mineral extraction plans there have been in the last five years.

Iain Wright: Eight Local Plan Minerals Inquiries have taken place under the provisions of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (as amended) since February 2003.
	Nine Minerals Development Plan Documents (DPDs) have been submitted for Examination under the provisions of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004. Examinations have been completed on two of these DPDs.

Regional Government: Public Participation

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government pursuant to the answer of 17 December 2007,  Official Report, column 943W, on regional government: public participation, which  (a) stakeholder events,  (b) local projects and  (c) other organisations the Minister for the west midlands has visited in his capacity as regional minister.

Parmjit Dhanda: The regional Minister has undertaken the following stakeholder events, local projects and other engagements pursuant to the answer of 17 December 2007 on regional government:
	a meeting in Ludlow with council officials;
	a speech to regional stakeholders on the Ministers priorities;
	meetings with DfT officials with Birmingham City Council on the New Street station development project;
	a visit to Hams Hall BMW plant to discuss the link with skills and economic development;
	a visit to Bromyard in Hereford to meet local businesses and council officials on business support and rural issues;
	a visit to the Eastside development in Birmingham with the chief executive of Advantage;
	a joint stakeholder event with James Purnell MP, then Secretary of State for Culture media and Sport, on the reputation of the region;
	a key note speech to the Advantage West Midlands annual conference;
	visit to Telford and Wrekin to discuss their strategic approach to jobs and housing and the potential economic effects of land instability at Ironbridge Gorge;
	a visit to Stoke-on-Trent to meet the North Staffordshire Regeneration Partnership, a business working closely with Keele university and to announce a 4.3 million funding package start to the creation of a 250 million university quarter in Stoke-on-Trent and to discuss progress at Stoke city council on key areas;
	a meeting with CBI members;
	a meeting with the vice-chancellors of higher education institutes from across the region to discuss the transfer of science into wealth and the development of the region as a top student destination;
	the launch of the region's manufacturing support strategy;
	the keynote address to the West Midlands Regional Assembly Conference; and
	a meeting with leaders and chief executives of shire councils to discuss the progress of the sub-national review.

Regional Ministers

Julia Goldsworthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government if she will list each of the representations made by regional Ministers to other Departments relating to issues within the region for which they have responsibility; and if she will place copies of such representations in the Library.

Parmjit Dhanda: Information relating to internal discussion and advice is not disclosed in order to protect its frankness and candour. This is in accord with Section 35 of the Freedom of Information Act exempting communications between Ministers and is aimed at protecting the government policy-making process.

Regional Ministers: Official Engagements

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what engagements the Minister for  (a) the north-east,  (b) the north-west,  (c) Yorkshire and the Humber,  (d) London,  (e) the south-east,  (f) the south-west,  (g) the east midlands,  (h) the west midlands and  (i) the east of England plan to attend in their capacity as regional ministers in 2008.

Parmjit Dhanda: Ministerial diaries have not yet been finalised and engagements are subject to parliamentary business. All regional Ministers have meetings and events planned with business leaders, local authorities, ministerial colleagues and other key stakeholders.

Regional Planning and Development: East Midlands

Bob Neill: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government pursuant to the answer of 15 January 2008,  Official Report, columns 1168-69W, on regional planning and development: East Midlands, to the hon. Member for Leicester South, if she will state which hon. and right hon. Members made formal submissions to the consultations on regional spatial strategies other than that relating to the East Midlands.

Parmjit Dhanda: The hon. and right hon. Members who have made formal submissions on consultations on regional spatial strategies by region, with the exception of the East Midlands are listed as follows:
	 North East
	The hon. Member for Newcastle upon Tyne, Central (Jim Cousins), the right hon. Member for Berwick-upon-Tweed (Mr. Beith), the hon. Member for Tyne Bridge (Mr. Clelland), the hon. Member for Bishop Auckland (Helen Goodman), the hon. Member for Hexham (Mr. Atkinson) and the hon. Member for City of Durham (Dr. Blackman-Woods) made formal submissions.
	 North West
	No hon. or right hon. Members have made formal submissions.
	 Yorkshire and Humber
	The hon. Member for City of York (Hugh Bayley) made a formal submission.
	 West Midlands
	 Phase 1 West Midlands RSS
	The hon. Member for West Bromwich, West (Adrian Bailey), the hon. Member for Stourbridge (Lynda Waltho), the hon. Member for Dudley, North (Mr. Austin) and the hon. Member for Dudley, South (Ian Pearson) made formal submissions.
	 Phase 2 West Midlands RSS
	The draft Phase 2 West Midlands RSS is currently out for consultation until the 18 March 2008.
	 Phase 3 West Midlands RSS
	Has not yet reached its first consultation stage.
	 East of England
	The hon. Member for South-West Bedfordshire (Andrew Selous), the hon. Member for South Cambridgeshire (Mr. Lansley), the hon. Member for Thurrock (Andrew Mackinlay), the hon. Member for Hertford and Stortford (Mr. Prisk) and the hon. Member for Broxbourne (Mr. Walker) made formal submissions.
	 South East
	The right hon. Member for Wokingham (Mr. Redwood) made a formal submission.
	 South West
	The hon. Member for St. Ives (Andrew George), the hon. Member for North Cornwall (Dan Rogerson), the hon. Member for Mid Dorset and North Poole (Annette Brooke), the hon. Member for Christchurch (Mr. Chope), the hon. Member for Bournemouth East (Mr. Ellwood), the hon. Member for Bristol, East (Kerry McCarthy), the hon. Member for Weston-Super-Mare (John Penrose), the right hon. Member for Bristol, South (Dawn Primarolo), the hon. Member for North Dorset (Mr. Walter) and the hon. Member for Tewkesbury (Mr. Robertson) made formal submissions.

Regional Planning and Development: South West

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what guidance her Department has issued to  (a) local planning authorities in Gloucestershire and  (b) planning appeals inspectorates determining large-scale housing planning applications before the Regional Spatial Strategy for the South West is finalised; and if she will make a statement.

Iain Wright: No guidance has been issued to local planning authorities in Gloucestershire or to the Planning Inspectorate on how they should determine housing applications before the Regional Spatial Strategy for the South West is finalised, above that contained in PPS3, paragraph 68 which states
	Local Planning Authorities should take into consideration the policies set out in Regional Spatial Strategies and Development Plan Documents, as the Development Plan, as well as other material considerations. When making planning decisions for housing developments after 1st April 2007, Local Planning Authorities should have regard to the policies in this statement as material considerations which may supersede the policies in existing Development Plans.

Sexual Harassment

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many complaints of  (a) sexual harassment and  (b) sexual discrimination have been made by staff in (i) her Department and (ii) its agencies in the most recent year for which figures are available.

Parmjit Dhanda: As the number of formal complaints in either category is less than five, the Department for Communities and Local Government is unable to provide the information on the grounds of confidentiality.

Street Cleaning: Expenditure

Mark Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how much was spent on street cleaning in each local authority in England in each of the last five years.

John Healey: I have placed in the Library of the House a table showing the information on street cleansing (not chargeable to highways) in each local authority in England in each of the last five years. Information for England has been published in Statistical Releases and editions of Local Government Financial Statistics.

Sustainable Development: Urban Areas

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many eco-towns are to be built in each of the next 10 years.

Caroline Flint: Through the eco-towns programme we expect that there will be up to five eco-towns by 2016 and 10 by 2020.

Sustainable Development: Urban Areas

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what steps she proposes to take to manage the impact of eco-towns on local traffic networks.

Caroline Flint: As part of the current cross-government assessment of eco-town proposals we are assessing proposals against the criteria set out in the Eco-towns Prospectus, and this includes transport. As part of the transport criteria consideration must be given to the impact on roads and congestion when siting the eco-town, and planning for the public transport infrastructure requirements. We will want to see design that reduces the need to travel, promotes a high degree of sustainable transport usage and reduces car dependency, so as to minimise the impact on local transport networks.

Sustainable Development: Urban Areas

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how much has been allocated for the construction of eco-towns; and from what budgets.

Caroline Flint: I refer the right hon. Member to the answer given on 6 December 2007,  Official Report, column 1397W to the hon. Member for Banbury (Tony Baldry).

Sustainable Development: Urban Areas

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government if she will take steps to ensure that funding for the construction of eco-towns will not be taken from existing allocations for local projects.

Caroline Flint: I refer the right hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Banbury (Tony Baldry) on 6 December 2007,  Official Report, column 1397W. As that answer sets out, funding has been provided to support the Growth Areas, the Thames Gateway, New Growth Points and eco-towns. This ensures that there will be provision of funding for eco-towns and it will not be taken from existing allocations for local projects.

Temporary Accommodation: Greater London

David Evennett: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many households were housed in temporary accommodation by each London local authority in each year since 1997.

Caroline Flint: Information about local authorities' actions under homelessness legislation is collected quarterly at local authority level. This information includes the number of households accepted by local authorities as eligible for assistance, unintentionally homeless and in priority need, and therefore owed a main homelessness duty. The duty owed to an accepted household is to secure suitable accommodation. If a settled home is not immediately available, the authority may secure temporary accommodation until a settled home becomes available.
	A table summarising homelessness figures for each local authority for the past 10 years, including the total number of households in temporary accommodation at the end of each year, was placed in the Library of the House on 8 October 2007, as part of the answer given to the hon. Member for South-East Cambridgeshire (Mr. Paice).
	Data are also published in our quarterly statistical release on Statutory Homelessness, which includes a Supplementary Table showing the breakdown of key data, including temporary accommodation for each local authority. The Supplementary Tables are published on our website and placed in the Library each quarter. The latest release was published on 10 December 2007 and contains data for the period July to September 2007:
	http://www.communities.gov.uk/housing/housingresearch/housingstatistics/housingstatisticsby/homelessnessstatistics/publicationshomelessness/

Temporary Accommodation: Unemployed

Karen Buck: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what proportion of households living in temporary accommodation had someone in work in each of the last 10 years.

Caroline Flint: This information requested is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
	However, Communities and Local Government and Department for Work and Pensions are supporting the working future pilot to test the effect that reduced rents and increased access to employment services have on incentivising housing benefit claimants in expensive temporary accommodation to find work.
	The pilot was set up to run for two years starting from 2005. It was running in the East London boroughs of Newham, Redbridge and Waltham Forest and led by the GLA and the East Thames Group. We are currently in the process of evaluating the outcomes of the pilot.

Thames Gateway: Finance

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government which publicly funded organisations are in receipt of monies in respect of the Thames Gateway project; and if she will make a statement.

Caroline Flint: The Thames Gateway Growth Fund has provided funding to the following organisations:
	Barts and The London Hospital Trust
	Basildon District Council
	Castle Point Borough Council
	Dartford Borough Council
	East England Development Agency (EEDA)
	English Partnerships
	Environment Agency
	Essex County Council
	Forestry Commission
	Gateway for London
	Gravesham Borough Council
	Housing Corporation
	Kent County Council
	Land Restoration Trust
	LB Barking and Dagenham
	LB Bexley
	LB Greenwich
	LB Havering
	LB Lewisham
	LB Newham
	LB Tower Hamlets
	Learning and Skills Councils
	Locate in Kent
	London Development Agency (LDA)
	London Thames Gateway Development Corporation
	Medway Council (Unitary)
	Renaissance Southend
	Rochford District Council
	South East Development Agency (SEEDA)
	Southend-on-Sea Borough Council (Unitary)
	Swale Borough Council
	Thurrock Council
	Thurrock Thames Gateway Development Corporation
	Tourism South East
	Transport for London

Thames Gateway: Finance

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what projects have been identified for funding under the auspices of the Thames Gateway Economic Development Investment Plan; at what indicative cost and over what period of time; and if she will make a statement.

Caroline Flint: No projects have yet been identified under the auspices of the Thames Gateway Economic Development Plan (EDIP). The three Regional Development Agencies that cover the Thames Gateway area have not yet completed the EDIP. It is expected to be signed off by the end of March.

Travelling People

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what the cost to the public purse was of each of her Department's five annual conferences on developing services for Gypsies and Travellers.

Iain Wright: Communities and Local Government does not hold an annual conference on developing services for Gypsies and Travellers. Ministers and officials support an annual conference on this topic arranged by the private sector by attending as speakers. A delegate fee of 390 (plus VAT) was paid by the Housing Corporation to enable attendance in 2005.

Travelling People: Caravan Sites

Bob Neill: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what estimate her Department has made of trends in the demand for authorised traveller sites from migrant travellers from  (a) Romania and  (b) the Republic of Ireland.

Iain Wright: Under the Housing Act 2004 local authorities are required to assess the accommodation needs of Gypsies and Travellers living in their areas. All accommodation needs assessments should by now have been completed. Regional Assemblies are responsible for determining need for pitches for Gypsies and Travellers across the region and revising regional spatial strategies to allocate pitch numbers to individual local authorities.

Waste Management

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what stage each local authority's minerals and waste development proposals has reached.

Iain Wright: Hampshire county council have adopted a minerals and waste core strategy.
	The following local authorities have submitted waste and/or minerals development plan documents to the Secretary of State:
	Hertfordshire county council
	Milton Keynes
	Surrey county council
	Plymouth
	Telford and the Wrekin
	Worcestershire county council
	North Yorkshire county council
	Lancashire county council
	Suffolk county council
	Kent county council
	Shropshire county council
	64 other planning authorities preparing waste and minerals development Plan Documents are yet to submit them to the Secretary of State.

DEFENCE

Afghanistan: Drugs

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the policy of  (a) UK and  (b) US forces is on spraying drug crops in Afghanistan in order to destroy them.

Des Browne: Troops deployed as part of the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) are authorised to support the Government of Afghanistan's counter-narcotics effort as part of the NATO operational plan. The operational plan stipulates that military personnel will not be involved in the eradication of poppy.

Afghanistan: Medical Services

Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  what training medical locums serving in Afghanistan received to prepare for operations;
	(2)  what proportion of medical locums serving in Afghanistan have prior military experience.

Derek Twigg: The Defence Medical Services deploys small numbers of civilian medical staff on operations in specialties where there are currently shortfalls, such as neurosurgery and ITU and AE nursing. Individuals are recruited through the specialist agency Frontier Medical. Before deployment to Afghanistan, medical locums undergo similar Operational Training and Advisory Group (OPTAG) training and pre-deployment briefs as their military colleagues. They are fully briefed on security issues and what to do if involved in the vicinity of aggressive military action. They are issued personal protective equipment (PPE) and receive constant advice and supervision before and during an operational tour. Most of them will not have prior military service (other than possible prior deployment with the military in a similar locum role).

Afghanistan: Peacekeeping Operations

James Duddridge: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many members of staff in his Department  (a) speak Pashtun and  (b) are training to speak Pashtun.

Des Browne: Records held by the Ministry of Defence as at 5 February 2008 indicate that there are 130 personnel who can speak Pashtun, with a further 92 people studying the language.

Afghanistan: Peacekeeping Operations

Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the order of battle of 16 Air Assault Brigade will be on its deployment to Afghanistan.

Des Browne: I refer the hon. Member to my written ministerial statement on 6 February 2008,  Official Report, column 68WS, outlining the force package that we currently plan to deploy in the next roulement of UK forces to Afghanistan.

Afghanistan: Peacekeeping Operations

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the  (a) required and  (b) actual expected strength is of each unit deploying to Afghanistan in spring 2008.

Des Browne: All units deploying with 16 Air Assault Brigade will do so with the numbers required to meet the operational requirement. This may require some units to be backfilled with augmentees, in line with established practice. I am withholding information on deployed strengths as its disclosure would, or would be likely to prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the armed forces.

Afghanistan: Peacekeeping Operations

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many helicopters will be operating in Afghanistan after the next roulement.

Des Browne: I am withholding the information as its disclosure would, or would be likely to prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the armed forces deployed in Afghanistan.

Afghanistan: Peacekeeping Operations

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many extra helicopters will be sent to Afghanistan as part of the spring roulement.

Des Browne: I am withholding details of the numbers of helicopters that will be sent to Afghanistan as it would, or would be likely to, prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of NATO forces.

Afghanistan: Peacekeeping Operations

James Gray: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many troops deployed in Afghanistan will have tours lasting for longer than six months.

Bob Ainsworth: The overwhelming majority of tours in Afghanistan are six months or less. However, individuals may deploy to Afghanistan for longer than six months in two different sets of circumstances.
	First, when brigades rotate in and out of theatre, some individuals or units may have their tours slightly extended beyond the standard period of six months in order to ensure continuity of operations. These short extensions can be a matter of days or weeks and are agreed between the incoming and outgoing headquarters. Detailed figures on the number of individuals who may be required to extend in this way are not held centrally and could be established only at disproportionate cost.
	Second, it has been decided that for important reasons of campaign continuity, a small number of posts should be filled by individuals undertaking nine or 12 month tours. Some 20 posts are currently established in this way, broken down as follows:
	
		
			  Post  Number of individuals 
			 HQ ISAF 9 
			 Combined Security Transition Command Afghanistan 2 
			 HQ Regional Command (South) 6 
			 HQ Task Force Helmand 1 
			 Others 2 
			 Total 20 
		
	
	Circumstances may on occasions dictate, however, that it is not possible for a particular officer to deploy for a full extended tour.

Afghanistan: Peacekeeping Operations

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence for what reasons NATO leaflets advised Afghan civilians to stay in their homes before the bombing of Musa Qala.

Des Browne: There was no bombing of the urban area of Musa Qala during the recent operation to restore Government of Afghanistan control of the area. Indeed, great care was taken to avoid aerial bombardment of the town. A small number of precision attacks were made against Taliban forces identified in the surrounding area.
	Leaflet drops warned the civilian population to remain indoors if fighting occurred in their area. This advice was given in order to avoid civilians being caught in crossfire.

Afghanistan: Peacekeeping Operations

Andrew Murrison: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much fresh fruit and vegetables was delivered to UK forces in  (a) Afghanistan and  (b) Helmand Province in each year since 2001.

Bob Ainsworth: The detailed information is not held centrally in the format requested and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. Purple Foodservice Solutions, which has held the MOD Food Supply contract since October 2006, does maintain data on the total amount of fruit and vegetables shipped to Afghanistan since they took over the contract. From January 2007 to January 2008 this was 1,163,000 kg. This is not a comprehensive picture of fresh fruit and vegetables shipped to UK forces in Afghanistan however, since it excludes UK forces fed under contracts let by other nations and includes civilians or troops from other nations who are embedded in locations supplied by the MOD contract.

Afghanistan: Peacekeeping Operations

Mark Pritchard: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will hold discussions with NATO allies on providing Pashtun linguists for non-kinetic operations in Afghanistan.

Des Browne: I meet regularly with my NATO counterparts to discuss issues of mutual interest, including Afghanistan.
	The majority of Pashtun speakers employed by ISAF forces are hired within Afghanistan.

Afghanistan: Peacekeeping Operations

Mark Pritchard: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will hold discussions with his German counterpart about the provision of German troop transport support for OP Herrick 7 and OP Herrick 8.

Des Browne: I meet regularly with my NATO and EU counterparts, including the German Defence Minister to discuss Afghanistan and other issues of mutual interest.

Afghanistan: Peacekeeping Operations

Mark Pritchard: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what reports he has received of the nationalities of Taliban fighters killed in Afghanistan since the conflict began; and if he will make a statement.

Des Browne: I have nothing further to add to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for North Devon (Nick Harvey) on 1 November 2006,  Official Report, column 423W.

Afghanistan: Peacekeeping Operations

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the  (a) name and  (b) age at death was of each British serviceman and woman (i) killed and (ii) severely injured in Afghanistan since 2001; and what the (A) location and (B) date of each death or injury was.

Bob Ainsworth: holding answer 7 February 2008
	Information on fatalities in Iraq and Afghanistan is published and updated regularly on the Ministry of Defence website at:
	http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/FactSheets/Operations Factsheets/OperationsInAfghanistan Britishfatalities.htm
	The details requested are reproduced as follows:
	
		
			  Date of Death  Name and Rank  Age  Location 
			 20 January 2008 Corporal Darryl Gardiner 25 Helmand Province 
			 8 December 2007 Sergeant Lee Johnson 33 Helmand Province 
			 4 December 2007 Trooper Jack Sadler 21 Helmand Province 
			 14 November 2007 Captain John McDermid 43 Helmand Province 
			 9 November 2007 Lance Corporal Jake Alderton 22 Helmand Province 
			 4 October 2007 Major Alexis Roberts 32 Kandahar Province 
			 20 September 2007 Colour Sergeant Phillip Newman 36 Helmand Province 
			 20 September 2007 Private Brian Tunnicliffe 33 Helmand Province 
			 17 September 2007 Corporal Ivano Violino 29 Helmand Province 
			 8 September 2007 Sergeant Craig Brelsford 25 Helmand Province 
			 8 September 2007 Private Johan Botha 25 Helmand Province 
			 5 September 2007 Private Damian Wright 18 Helmand Province 
			 5 September 2007 Private Ben Ford 23 Helmand Province 
			 30 August 2007 Senior Aircraftman Christopher Bridge 20 Kandahar Province 
			 23 August 2007 Private Aaron James McClure 19 Helmand Province 
			 23 August 2007 Private Robert Graham Foster 19 Helmand Province 
			 23 August 2007 Private John Thrumble 21 Helmand Province 
			 11 August 2007 Captain David Hicks 26 Helmand Province 
			 10 August 2007 Private Tony Rawson 27 Helmand Province 
			 29 July 2007 Lance Corporal Michael Jones 26 Southern Afghanistan 
			 27 July 2007 Sergeant Barry Keen 34 Helmand Province 
			 26 July 2007 Guardsman David Atherton 25 Helmand Province 
			 25 July 2007 Lance Corporal Alex Hawkins 22 Helmand Province 
			 12 July 2007 Guardsman Daryl Hickey 27 Helmand Province 
			 1 July 2007 Sergeant Dave Wilkinson 33 Helmand Province 
			 30 June 2007 Captain Sean Dolan 40 Helmand Province 
			 24 June 2007 Drummer Thomas Wright 21 Helmand Province 
			 9 June 2007 Guardsman Neil Downes 20 Helmand Province 
			 6 June 2007 Lance Corporal Paul Sandford 23 Helmand Province 
			 30 May 2007 Corporal Mike Gilyeat 28 Helmand Province 
			 28 May 2007 Corporal Darren Bonner 31 Helmand Province 
			 26 May 2007 Guardsman Daniel Probyn 22 Helmand Province 
			 20 May 2007 Lance Corporal George Russell Davey 23 Helmand Province 
			 3 May 2007 Guardsman Simon Davison 22 Helmand Province 
			 13 April 2007 Private Chris Gray 19 Helmand Province 
			 8 March 2007 Warrant Officer Class 2 Michael Smith 39 Helmand Province 
			 6 March 2007 Marine Benjamin Reddy 22 Helmand Province 
			 3 March 2007 Lance Bombardier Ross Clark 25 Helmand Province 
			 3 March 2007 Lance Bombardier Liam McLaughlin 21 Helmand Province 
			 21 February 2007 Marine Scott Summers 23 Helmand Province 
			 21 February 2007 Marine Jonathan Holland 23 Helmand Province 
			 15 January 2007 Lance Corporal Mathew Ford 24 Helmand Province 
			 13 January 2007 Marine Thomas Curry 21 Helmand Province 
			 27 December 2006 Lance Bombardier James Dwyer 22 Helmand Province 
			 12 December 2006 Marine Richard J Watson 23 Helmand Province 
			 5 December 2006 Marine Jonathan Wigley 21 Helmand Province 
			 19 October 2006 Marine Gary Wright 22 Helmand Province 
			 6 September 2006 Lance Corporal Paul Muirhead 29 Helmand Province 
			 6 September 2006 Lance Corporal Luke McCulloch 21 Helmand Province 
			 6 September 2006 Corporal Mark William Wright 27 Helmand Province 
			 4 September 2006 Private Craig O'Donnell 24 Kabul 
			 2 September 2006 Flight Lieutenant Steven Johnson 38 Kandahar Province 
			 2 September 2006 Flight Lieutenant Leigh Anthony Mitchelmore 28 Kandahar Province 
			 2 September 2006 Flight Lieutenant Gareth Rodney Nicholas 40 Kandahar Province 
			 2 September 2006 Flight Lieutenant Allan James Squires 39 Kandahar Province 
			 2 September 2006 Flight Lieutenant Steven Swarbrick 28 Kandahar Province 
			 2 September 2006 Flight Sergeant Gary Wayne Andrews 48 Kandahar Province 
			 2 September 2006 Flight Sergeant Stephen Beattie 42 Kandahar Province 
			 2 September 2006 Flight Sergeant Gerard Martin Bell 48 Kandahar Province 
			 2 September 2006 Flight Sergeant Adrian Davies 49 Kandahar Province 
			 2 September 2006 Sergeant Benjamin James Knight 25 Kandahar Province 
			 2 September 2006 Sergeant John Joseph Langton 29 Kandahar Province 
			 2 September 2006 Sergeant Gary Paul Quilliam 42 Kandahar Province 
			 2 September 2006 Corporal Oliver Simon Dicketts 27 Kandahar Province 
			 2 September 2006 Marine Joseph David Windall 22 Kandahar Province 
			 1 September 2006 Ranger Anare Draiva 27 Helmand Province 
			 27 August 2006 Lance Corporal Jonathan Peter Hetherington 22 Helmand Province 
			 20 August 2006 Corporal Bryan James Budd 29 Helmand Province 
			 12 August 2006 Lance Corporal Sean Tansey 26 Helmand Province 
			 9 August 2006 Private Leigh Reeves 25 Kabul Province 
			 6 August 2006 Private Andrew Barrie Cutts 19 Helmand Province 
			 1 August 2006 Captain Alex Eida 29 Helmand Province 
			 1 August 2006 Second Lieutenant Ralph Johnson 24 Helmand Province 
			 1 August 2006 Lance Corporal Ross Nicholls 27 Helmand Province 
			 5 July 2006 Private Damien Jackson 19 Helmand Province 
			 1 July 2006 Corporal Peter Thorpe 27 Helmand Province 
			 1 July 2006 Lance Corporal Jabron Hashmi 24 Helmand Province 
			 27 June 2006 Captain David Patten 38 Helmand Province 
			 27 June 2006 Sergeant Paul Bartlett 35 Helmand Province 
			 11 June 2006 Captain Jim Philippson 29 Helmand Province 
			 27 March 2006 Lance Corporal Peter Edward Craddock  Helmand Province 
			 22 March 2006 Corporal Mark Cridge 25 Helmand Province 
			 29 October 2005 Lance Corporal Steven Sherwood 23 Samagan Province 
			 28 January 2004 Private Jonathan Kitulagoda 23 Kabul 
			 17 August 2002 Sergeant Robert Busuttil 30 Kabul 
			 17 August 2002 Corporal John Gregory 30 Kabul 
			 9 April 2002 Private Darren John George 23 Kabul 
		
	
	For reasons of confidentiality we are unable to release specific details of casualties without their explicit consent, or that of their family. Aggregated data on casualties is also included on the Ministry of Defence website at:
	http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/AboutDefence/CorporatePublications/DoctrineOperationsand DiplomacyPublications/OperationsInAfghanistan/OpHerrickCasualtyAndFatalityTables.htm

Afghanistan: Peacekeeping Operations

Mark Pritchard: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will hold discussions with his French counterpart on France increasing its air assets in Afghanistan.

Des Browne: I meet regularly with my NATO and EU counterparts, including the French Defence Minister, to discuss Afghanistan and other issues of mutual interest.

Afghanistan: Peacekeeping Operations

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent representations he has received from his US counterpart on military  (a) force levels and  (b) strategy in Afghanistan; and if he will make a statement.

Des Browne: holding answer 7 February 2008
	I meet regularly with my NATO counterparts, including the US Defence Secretary, to discuss issues of mutual interest, including Afghanistan. NATO Defence Ministers last met on 7-8 February to discuss Afghanistan and other issues.

Afghanistan: Postal Services

James Gray: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what increase in forces mail to Afghanistan there has been since troops were allowed a free 2kg package.

Bob Ainsworth: Since the introduction of the free mail service for members of HM armed forces deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan began on 3 September 2007, the volume of mail to Afghanistan has increased by 95 per cent. compared to the same period in 2006-07.

Afghanistan: Unarmed Air Vehicles

James Gray: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many tactical unarmed air vehicle image analysts are deployed in Afghanistan; and what plans he has to increase that number.

Bob Ainsworth: I am withholding the number of imagery analysts deployed in theatre as its disclosure would, or would be likely to prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the armed forces. However, the number of analysts required in theatre is kept under regular review by the Permanent Joint Headquarters and the Ministry of Defence.

Air Force: Manpower

Gerald Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will place in the Library copies of his Department's annual Royal Air Force  (a) manpower strength planning assumptions,  (b) manning and training margins,  (c) baseline strength projection and  (d) aircrew sustainability assessment for financial years 1997-98 to 2006-07.

Bob Ainsworth: The reports requested contain large amounts of unrounded data. The unrounded data would need to be rounded in line with National Statistics protocols, and the forecast assumptions would need to be redacted, prior to the documents being placed in the Library, both of which actions could be done only at disproportionate cost.

Air Force: Manpower

Gerald Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will place in the Library copies of his Department's quarterly forecast of Royal Air Force manpower for each quarter since the beginning of 1997-98.

Bob Ainsworth: The reports showing the quarterly forecasts of RAF manpower contain large amounts of unrounded data. This data would need to be rounded prior to the documents being placed in the Library, in line with National Statistics protocols, and could be done only at disproportionate cost.

Aircraft Carriers

Mark Pritchard: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what airframes will be deployed on the new generation of Royal Navy aircraft carriers; and if he will make a statement.

Bob Ainsworth: The future aircraft carriers have been designed to support a Joint Force Air Group including the Joint Combat Aircraft (JCA) and a mix of helicopters which we expect will initially include Sea King Mk 7 and Merlin. We will set the in-service date for the JCA capability when the programme reaches sufficient maturity and we make the main investment decision, and we will continue to manage carefully the transition from Harrier to JCA.

Aircraft Carriers: Procurement

Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises in the north east arising from the ordering of the two aircraft carriers.

Bob Ainsworth: BAE Systems Submarine Solutions has recently selected two north east companies, McNulty and AP, to form the Tyne Carrier Association, which will make a significant contribution to the manufacturing phase of the Future Carrier project (CVF). In addition, we would expect there to be extensive opportunities for further sub-contracts arising from CVF, both in the north east and throughout the UK.

Aircraft Carriers: Shipbuilding

Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the effects of the placing of the order for two aircraft carriers on the skills base of the UK maritime industry; and if he will make a statement.

Bob Ainsworth: We expect current programmes, including the future aircraft carrier programme, to ensure the retention of key skills and capabilities in the UK maritime industry in the short to medium term. The Defence Industrial Strategy defined the key maritime industrial skills and capabilities we need to retain on shore to support the needs of the Royal Navy in the longer term. We are therefore working with the shipbuilding industry to agree the core work load required to sustain these high-end design, systems engineering and combat systems integration skills across the maritime sector.

Aircraft Carriers: Shipbuilding

Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what estimate he has made of the value of the work share on the two new aircraft carriers to the North East economy.

Bob Ainsworth: There are no estimates of the value of such work to the North East economy. However, industry in the North East is expected to be involved in the carrier project through the Tyne Carrier Association which BAE Systems Submarine Solutions intends to form with McNulty and AP. In addition, we would expect there to be opportunities for further subcontracts and involvement of the supply chain, both in the North East and throughout the UK.

Armed Forces

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much his Department plans to spend on improving  (a) accommodation and  (b) training facilities for armed forces personnel in Northern Ireland in 2008-09.

Bob Ainsworth: We plan to spend the following on constructing new and upgrading existing accommodation and training facilities in Northern Ireland in 2008-09. It should be noted that these are estimated figures only at this stage.
	
		
			  Development type  Amount to be spent 
			 Service accommodation 19.42 million 
			 Training facilities 100,000

Armed Forces Compensation Scheme

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many former service personnel who served in Northern Ireland have received compensation from the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme in the last 10 years.

Derek Twigg: holding answer 18 February 2008
	This information is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Armed Forces Compensation Scheme: World War II

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence in relation to the compensation scheme for former civilian internees of the Japanese during the second world war, on what grounds applications from British nationals whose births were registered in British consulates abroad or on board British ships may be rejected; where the original birth certificates are lodged in the UK birth registers; and if he will make a statement.

Derek Twigg: The eligibility requirements for former civilian internees under the Government's ex-gratia payment scheme for former far east prisoners of war and civilian internees are that the applicant was British at the time of internment, that they were interned by the Japanese in a specifically designated camp and that they have a close link with the UK. A close-link has, since July 2005, been determined by residence-based criteria. We do not consider that the place at which a birth was registered or at which the birth certificate is held establishes a close link to the UK. The hon. Member will be aware that a criterion based on birthlink to the UK, where there was no residence link to the UK, has already been found unlawful on the basis of indirect racial discrimination.

Armed Forces: Ammunition

Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the supply of munitions from UK produced supplies to UK forces.

Bob Ainsworth: Security of supply and the availability of sufficient high quality ammunition to frontline commands remains a top priority. The majority of the UK general munitions requirement is secured through a Framework Partnering Agreement with BAES Land Systems Munitions. This agreement is due to end in 2010 and we are currently working with industry to develop the future solution that will ensure continuing security of supply and deliver value for money to the taxpayer beyond 2010. We expect to make an investment decision in spring 2008.
	As a result of the pace of current operations, we have seen a large increase in the demand for munitions, both for operations and for training in preparation for operations. Despite this significant challenge, we have consistently supplied sufficient volumes of ammunition to meet these commitments. Industry, both in the UK and overseas, has shown great commitment and flexibility in rising successfully to this challenge.

Armed Forces: Children

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what  (a) financial support and  (b) child care provision his Department provides for the families of service personnel deployed on operations.

Derek Twigg: Service personnel deployed on operations benefit from a variety of allowances including Longer Separation Allowance, Operational Allowance and Council Tax Relief; which are clearly of benefit to their families too. The Deployment Welfare Package also includes support for the families of those deployed through the Families Welfare Grant. In addition, the immediate family of an accompanied Regular Service person who is deployed on operations is entitled to travel at public expense to allow the family to benefit from support of their close relatives during extended periods of deployment by their Service spouse or civil partner.
	The financial package for mobilised Reservists ensures that they will not be financially disadvantaged as a result of their service.
	With reference to child care, I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 17 December 2007,  Official Report, columns 1022-23W.
	The Government announced on 8 November 2007 work to develop the first-ever cross-Government Strategy for supporting our service personnel, their families and veterans. The Command Paper will outline steps taken so far and future initiatives to enhance the Government's support.

Armed Forces: Coeliac Disease

Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  how many people with coeliac disease were discharged from the  (a) Royal Air Force,  (b) Army and  (c) Royal Navy in each of the last five years;
	(2)  what policies are in place to assist those who are serving in the  (a) Royal Air Force and  (b) Royal Navy who have been diagnosed with coeliac disease.

Derek Twigg: The Defence Analytical Services Agency is currently validating its 2006 and 2007 discharge data and as such no figures are available for this time period. In 2003-05, there was one medical discharge where the principal disability leading to discharge was coeliac disease.
	The armed forces as far as possible aim to meet the needs of those personnel who, during their service, develop medical conditions such as coeliac disease which require careful dietary management. Should an individual develop a medical condition which may require special dietary management during service, their condition would be catered for wherever practicable and the necessary foodstuffs and/or medication provided. Specific advice is also provided to personnel with special dietary requirements by dieticians, via their medical officer.

Armed Forces: Compensation

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many payments under the Armed Forces Compensation scheme to claimants living in the London region there have been since 2005.

Derek Twigg: Between 6 April 2005 and 31 December 2007, the following payments have been made under the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme to claimants recorded on the Compensation and Pension System Database as living in the London region:
	Thirty-five payments have been made as a result of injury claims.
	Less than five payments have been made as a result of survivors' claims.
	In order to protect the identity of claimants, figures presented have been rounded to the nearest five.

Armed Forces: Corneal Ulcers

Andrew Murrison: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the incidence of corneal ulcers is among  (a) contact lens wearing and  (b) all British service personnel serving in Iraq and Afghanistan; and what steps his Department is taking to reduce this rate.

Derek Twigg: The Defence Medical Services have treated a total of 30 cases of corneal ulcers in personnel who have served in the Iraq and Afghanistan theatres of operation, all of whom are contact lens wearers. 28 of these served in Iraq, and two in Afghanistan.
	The Defence Medical Services (DMS) are always looking at ways in which cases of corneal ulcers can be reduced in service personnel. There is evidence of improving safety and efficacy of laser eye surgery and DMS specialists are currently engaged in reviewing this evidence in the military context.

Armed Forces: Deployment

Anne Milton: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the adequacy of the  (a) free and  (b) fee paying communication facilities for service personnel on operational tours.

Bob Ainsworth: The ratio of internet access points to personnel was originally set when it was expected that the provision would be used for little more than email. Ratios of internet provision have since been improved to reflect the greater demand on the service in line with increased popularity. The ratio of access points to individuals is currently 1:50 which is assessed to be sufficient for welfare purposes in accordance with current patterns of usage. Options to improve ratios further are under consideration as part of the process of continuous improvement. There is no fee-paying aspect to the MOD provided welfare internet service.
	Personnel are provided with an allocation of 30 minutes of free telephone calls per week. The Department is increasing the number of welfare telephones by 20 per cent. which is assessed to be adequate based on current demand.
	In total, an additional 4 million will be spent on improvements to welfare communications in Iraq and Afghanistan over Financial Year 2007-08.

Armed Forces: Deployment

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what percentage of the  (a) armed forces,  (b) Army,  (c) Navy and  (d) Royal Air Force are (i) deployed on operations and (ii) conducting other military tasks.

Bob Ainsworth: The percentage of each service deployed on operations or undertaking other military tasks in the second quarter of 2007-08 (the latest period for which validated data is available) is as follows:
	
		
			  Percentage 
			   Operations  Other military tasks 
			 Royal Navy 4 11 
			 Army 12 7 
			 Royal Air Force 7 8 
			 Overall 9 8

Armed Forces: Deployment

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on how many occasions the armed forces in Northern Ireland offered assistance in non-military situations other than those involving civil disturbance in 2007.

Bob Ainsworth: It is not the policy of the Ministry of Defence to offer assistance in non-military situations. Any assistance is provided in response to a specific request from the civil authorities, and in light of an assessment of the available capabilities and the appropriateness of the task. Examples of such assistance in Northern Ireland in the last twelve months include assistance in sandbagging in response to summer flooding at Comber and Downpatrick and helicopter support for the coastguard in a search for missing persons in Castlewellan Lake.

Armed Forces: Deployment

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many UK personnel were deployed on operations at each location at the most recent date for which figures are available.

Des Browne: The following table shows the number of UK service personnel deployed on operations by location at 4 February 2008. The number of personnel in theatre will naturally fluctuate on a daily basis for a variety of reasons, including leave (rest and recuperation), temporary absence for training, evacuation for medical reasons, the roulement of forces and other factors. Numbers have been rounded to the nearest 10, apart from Iraq and Afghanistan which have been rounded to the nearest hundred.
	
		
			  Number of personnel deployed by location( 1) 
			  Location  Number 
			  Of  which:  
			 Afghanistan 7,000 
			 Iraq 4,200 
			 At sea 600 
			 Qatar 420 
			 Kuwait 390 
			 Cyprus 280 
			 Oman 190 
			 Kosovo 120 
			 Bahrain 60 
			 Bosnia 10 
			 Other 30 
			 Total 13,280 
			 (1) Countries with 10 or more personnel are shown separately. Other countries with fewer than 10 personnel per country include Georgia, Nepal, Sudan, Sierra Leone, Democratic Republic of Congo and Liberia.

Armed Forces: Desertion

Andrew Murrison: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many service personnel are recorded as absent without leave, broken down by  (a) unit and  (b) nationality.

Derek Twigg: holding answer 25 January 2008
	An individual who goes absent without leave (AWOL) will be recorded as such until they have been arrested, their death certificate is produced, or they have surrendered themself.
	For the Army and Royal Air Force, information on the unit of individuals and on their nationality is not held centrally and could therefore be provided only at disproportionate cost. Of the incidents of reported AWOL between 1 January 1997 and 29 January 2008, there are 1,201 Army and 17 RAF personnel who remain AWOL. A comprehensive figure, including those who went AWOL prior to 1 January 1997 and who have not been arrested, their death certificate produced, or have surrendered themself, cannot be provided because of the unreliability of some historical data.
	The Royal Navy has a continuous run of data on individuals who remain AWOL. As at 25 January 2008 there are 11 Navy personnel AWOL:
	
		
			  AWOL  Unit  Nationality 
			 1 HMS Bulwark British 
			 1 HMS Cumberland British 
			 3 HMS Illustrious British 
			 1 HMS Kent British 
			 1 HMS Liverpool British 
			 2 HMS Nelson British 
			 1 HMS Sovereign British 
			 1 HMS York Fijian

Armed Forces: Desertion

Andrew Murrison: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many service personnel were disciplined for going absent without leave in each of the last 10 years, broken down by service.

Derek Twigg: Data relating to those found guilty of being absent without leave (AWOL) are shown in the following tables. Data are recorded differently by each of the three services; therefore the given figures are not directly comparable on a tri-service basis. All numbers are rounded to the nearest five.
	
		
			  Royal Navy 
			   Summary dealing  Court martial 
			 1998  5 
			 1999  (1) 
			 2000  (1) 
			 2001 1,095 0 
			 2002 1,085 5 
			 2003 1,345 10 
			 2004 1,105 5 
			 2005 985 20 
			 2006 1,100 5 
			 2007 625 10 
			 (1) Denotes fewer than five.  Notes: 1. Formal absenteeism (AWOL) is recorded by the Royal Navy once an individual has been absent for more than 24 hours. The figures provided for summary dealings include minor offences where an individual is absent for less than 24 hours (e.g. late for a parade). To separate out this data would incur disproportionate cost. 2. Information on summary dealings prior to 1 January 2001 is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. 3. Figures provided for 2007 are as at 4 February 2008 and may be subject to change. 
		
	
	
		
			  Army 
			   Summary dealing  Court martial 
			 1998  90 
			 1999  110 
			 2000  110 
			 2001 2,335 145 
			 2002 2,490 135 
			 2003 2,555 130 
			 2004 2,355 140 
			 2005 1,975 185 
			 2006 1,540 295 
			 2007 1,400 270 
			  Notes: 1. The figures provided for summary dealing give the number of charges of AWOL, not the number of individuals. The figures could therefore include repeat offenders. 2. Information on summary dealings prior to 2 October 2000 is not recorded centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. 
		
	
	
		
			  Royal  Air Force 
			   Summary dealing  (officers only)  Court martial  (all ranks) 
			 2000 0 (1) 
			 2001 0 (1) 
			 2002 (1) (1) 
			 2003 0 0 
			 2004 0 0 
			 2005 0 0 
			 2006 0 (1) 
			 2007 0 (1) 
			 (1) Denotes fewer than five.  Notes: 1. Information prior to 1 January 2000 is not recorded centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. 2. Instances of AWOL by other ranks which were dealt with summarily are not recorded centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Armed Forces: Foreign Workers

Andrew Murrison: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many non-UK nationals served in the armed forces in each of the last 10 years, broken down by nationality.

Derek Twigg: holding answer 25 January 2008
	The following table shows the number of full-time non-UK nationals serving in the UK armed forces(1,2,3,4) by nationality as at 1 April each year.
	
		
			   Army only  Army and RAF only  All services 
			  Nationality  1998  1999  2000  2001  2002  2003  2004  2005  2006  2007 
			 Afghan 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (5) 
			 American (5) (5) (5) (5) (5) (5) (5) (5) (5) (5) 
			 Ascension Islander 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (5) 
			 Antiguan 0 0 0 (5) (5) (5) (5) (5) (5) (5) 
			 Australian 65 65 70 75 75 80 80 75 80 90 
			 Austrian 0 0 (5) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Bahamian (5) (5) (5) (5) (5) 0 0 (5) 0 (5) 
			 Bangalee 0 (5) (5) (5) (5) (5) (5) 5 5 10 
			 Barbadian 5 5 5 5 5 10 10 10 10 15 
			 Belizean (5) (5) (5) (5) (5) (5) (5) 5 (5) 5 
			 Botswana 0 0 0 0 0 (5) (5) 5 5 10 
			 Bruneian (5) (5) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Cameroonian 0 0 0 0 (5) (5) 10 15 20 35 
			 Canadian 60 75 70 70 65 60 60 60 60 85 
			 Chinese 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (5) 
			 Kittian and Nevisian (5) (5) (5) (5) (5) (5) (5) (5) (5) (5) 
			 Cypriot (5) (5) (5) (5) (5) (5) (5) (5) (5) (5) 
			 Danish (5) (5) (5) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Dominican (5) (5) 0 (5) (5) (5) 10 15 10 25 
			 Dutch (5) (5) (5) (5) (5) (5) 0 0 0 (5) 
			 Egyptian (5) (5) (5) (5) (5) (5) 0 0 0 0 
			 Falkland Islander (5) (5) (5) (5) (5) (5) (5) (5) (5) 0 
			 Fijian (5) 20 335 585 1,055 1,485 1,730 1,915 1,995 2,030 
			 French 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (5) (5) 
			 Gambian 0 (5) (5) 5 15 35 60 65 80 125 
			 German 5 5 (5) (5) (5) (5) (5) 5 (5) (5) 
			 Ghanaian 5 5 5 20 100 235 435 555 660 790 
			 Gibraltarian (5) (5) (5) (5) (5) (5) (5) (5) (5) (5) 
			 Greek 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (5) 
			 Grenadian (5) (5) (5) 10 15 30 45 50 50 60 
			 Guyanese (5) (5) (5) (5) (5) 5 10 15 15 20 
			 Indian 10 15 15 15 20 25 35 45 45 70 
			 Iranian (5) (5) (5) (5) (5) (5) (5) 0 0 0 
			 Iraqi 0 (5) (5) (5) (5) (5) 0 0 0 0 
			 Irish 250 245 240 230 205 200 205 210 240 290 
			 Italian 0 (5) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Jamaican 25 30 35 75 240 615 910 965 985 950 
			 Jordanian (5) (5) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Kenyan (5) 5 5 15 25 40 70 85 105 140 
			 Libyan 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (5) 
			 Malawian (5) (5) (5) (5) 5 25 55 75 95 125 
			 Malaysian (5) 5 (5) (5) (5) (5) 5 5 5 5 
			 Maltese 10 10 10 5 5 10 10 5 5 5 
			 Mauritanian 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (5) (5) 
			 Mauritian 0 0 0 (5) 5 10 15 20 25 30 
			 Monserrat Islander (5) (5) (5) (5) (5) (5) (5) (5) (5) (5) 
			 Namibian 0 0 (5) (5) (5) (5) (5) (5) (5) (5) 
			 Nepalese 3,645 3,630 3,680 3,790 3,805 3,775 3,735 3,720 3,690 3,725 
			 New Zealander 55 55 55 60 60 75 75 70 65 80 
			 Nigerian (5) (5) (5) 5 15 30 45 55 65 90 
			 Norwegian (5) (5) (5) (5) (5) (5) 0 0 0 0 
			 Pacific Islander (5) (5) (5) (5) (5) (5) (5) (5) 0 0 
			 Pakistani 5 5 5 5 5 5 10 10 10 10 
			 Papua New Guinean (5) (5) (5) (5) (5) (5) (5) (5) (5) (5) 
			 Polish (5) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Saint Lucian 0 0 (5) (5) 15 205 220 225 225 240 
			 Saudi Arabian 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 
			 Seychellois 0 0 0 0 (5) (5) 5 5 10 10 
			 Sierra Leonean (5) 5 5 5 5 10 25 40 45 50 
			 Singaporean 0 0 0 0 (5) (5) (5) (5) (5) (5) 
			 South African 25 45 80 130 225 360 510 625 725 890 
			 Spanish 0 (5) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Sri Lankan (5) (5) (5) (5) (5) 5 10 10 15 15 
			 St. Helenian (5) 10 20 25 20 25 25 20 20 20 
			 Sudanese 0 0 0 0 0 (5) 0 0 0 0 
			 Swazi 0 0 0 0 0 (5) (5) (5) 10 15 
			 Swedish (5) (5) (5) (5) (5) (5) 0 0 0 0 
			 Swiss (5) (5) (5) 0 (5) (5) (5) (5) (5) (5) 
			 Tanzanian 0 0 0 0 0 (5) (5) (5) (5) (5) 
			 Tongan 0 (5) (5) (5) (5) (5) 5 5 5 5 
			 Trinidadian 5 10 10 20 30 50 60 70 75 100 
			 Ugandan (5) (5) (5) (5) (5) 10 25 35 40 60 
			 Ukrainian 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (5) 
			 Vincentian 0 0 0 180 170 285 290 285 280 460 
			 Zambian (5) (5) (5) (5) (5) 5 15 15 20 25 
			 Zimbabwean 30 45 55 85 195 395 535 560 570 595 
			 Other West Indian (5) (5) (5) (5) (5) (5) (5) (5) 5 0 
			 Other(6) 15 20 20 20 15 20 20 20 20 5 
			 Non UKTotal 4,280 4,360 4,780 5,490 6,465 8,175 9,395 10,015 10,420 11,340 
			 (1) Full Time Personnel comprises UK Regular Forces, Gurkhas and FTRS personnel. It does not include the Home Service Battalions of the Royal Irish Regiment or mobilised reservists. (2) Information on FTRS personnel is not included pre 1999 as this scheme was introduced in August 1998 under Section 24 of the Reserve Forces Act 1996. (3) The information in the table above is for Army personnel only in 1998-2005; for Army and RAF personnel in 2006 and for all services in 2007. This is because information on nationality for Navy personnel is only available post Joint Personal Administration implementation (October 2006 for Navy) and information on nationality for RAF personnel pre Joint Personnel Administration (April 2006 for RAF) can be provided only at a disproportionate cost.  All 2006 and 2007 information is marked as provisional due to the ongoing validation of Joint Personnel Administration data. (4) Nationality figures are based on those with a known Nationality only. (5 )denotes fewer than 5. (6) 'Other' denotes a person who is not of British origin but their actual country of origin is not know eg listed on British Commonwealth.  Numbers have been rounded to the nearest 5.  Source:  DASA (Quad-Service)

Armed Forces: Foreigners

Andrew Murrison: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  what procedures are used in recruiting non-UK citizens to the armed forces; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  what printed documents are used to recruit non-UK citizens to the armed forces; and if he will place copies in the Library.

Derek Twigg: All applicants to the UK regular armed forces, regardless of whether they are UK or Commonwealth citizens or Republic of Ireland nationals, are given equal consideration; all have to meet the same basic entry standards and go through an identical recruit selection process.
	Apart from our long standing arrangements with the Government of Nepal to recruit Gurkhas, the armed forces do not actively recruit overseas. However, in recent years, the Army has sent selection teams to a few countries (mainly Fiji) at the specific request of the government concerned, but only when evidence suggests that there is sufficient interest among the local population to merit a visit. The selection teams screen out those who are not thought capable of meeting the full entry standards to save them the cost of an abortive trip to the UK where they undergo the recruitment process.
	The recruitment documentation used is identical regardless of the nationality of the applicant. A copy of the armed forces application form, AFCO form 4, and its accompanying information and guidance booklet, AFCO form 5, will be placed in the Library of the House.

Armed Forces: Foreigners

Andrew Murrison: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what entitlements non-UK citizens have on discharge from the armed forces  (a) before they have completed basic training,  (b) on leaving before the end of their engagement and  (c) leaving at the end of their engagement.

Bob Ainsworth: Non-UK citizens receive the same pay and allowances as their UK counterparts while they are serving in the armed forces and these cease on discharge. They also receive the same entitlements to pension benefits and resettlement grants as their UK counterparts on discharge.
	With regard to travel arrangements, I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 1 February 2008,  Official Report, column 700W.

Armed Forces: Hospitals

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many and what percentage of wounded military personnel are being cared for in military hospitals.

Derek Twigg: In answering this question I have taken wounded to mean UK Service battle casualties from operations in Afghanistan and Iraq.
	There are no longer any military hospitals in the UK, with secondary medical care for service personnel now provided within the NHS. Since 2001, the Royal Centre for Defence Medicine (RCDM), based at the University Hospital Birmingham Foundation Trust (UHBFT), has been the main receiving unit for military casualties evacuated from an operational theatre. In the Birmingham area, military patients can benefit from the concentration of five specialist hospitals (including Selly Oak hospital) to receive a very high standard of care. Indeed, Selly Oak is at the leading edge in the medical care of the most common types of injuries (e.g. polytrauma) our casualties sustain.
	As at 1 February 2008, there were a total of 15 military in-patients being treated at RCDM, of whom eight were battle casualties from Iraq and Afghanistan.

Armed Forces: Housing

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many units of  (a) married and  (b) single accommodation are provided at each barracks in (i) the United Kingdom and (ii) Germany; and what percentage of that accommodation is (A) in use, (B) subject to repair and refurbishment and (C) empty.

Derek Twigg: The requested information is not held centrally and it will take time to determine what can be provided without incurring disproportionate cost. I will therefore write to my hon. Friend and place a copy of my letter in the Library of the House.
	 Substantive answer from Derek Twigg to  David  Drew:
	I undertook to write to you in answer to your parliamentary question on 28 November 2007,  Official Report, column 449W about the number of units of married and single accommodation provided at each barracks in the United Kingdom and Germany; and what percentage of that accommodation is in use, subject to repair and refurbishment and empty.
	I regret that as stated the information regarding Single Living Accommodation is not held centrally. To collate the detail necessary would necessitate direct contact with every individual unit of all three Services and would incur disproportionate costs.
	Information on Service Families Accommodation (SFA in the UK), together with numbers of voids at each location, is set out in Annex A. Currently some 81 per cent. of UK SFA properties are occupied with 19 per cent void (not in use). Properties are void for various reasons, including:
	to allow for modernisation work, disposal or demolition to be carried out,
	when the SFA property is under offer to applicants,
	to allow for routine movements of personnel,
	the property is held pending operational deployments or unit moves,
	to allow for release to AHL for sale.
	It is not possible to identify the exact number of void properties undergoing repair as in most cases where property is void for a short period of time between occupants some form of repair is undertaken.
	For SLA and SFA in Germany, the situation is as follows:
	
		
			  SLA Unit 
			   In use  Percentage in use  Subject to refurbishment 
			 Rheindahlen 148 100 0 
			 Paderborn 113 98 2 
			 Gutersloh 102 100 0 
			 Hohne 124 91 9 
			 Osnabruck 25 100 0 
		
	
	
		
			  SFA Unit 
			   In use  Percentage in use  Subject to refurbishment 
			 Rheindahlen 2,911 74 n/a 
			 Paderborn 2,593 79 n/a 
			 Gutersloh 2,838 86 n/a 
			 Hohne 2,405 83 n/a 
			 Osnabruck 2,105 86 n/a

Armed Forces: Housing

Henry Bellingham: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what percentage of his Department's housing stock is void or uninhabited.

Derek Twigg: 12,240 (17 per cent.) of the some 71,000 service family accommodation held worldwide are void. Void stock includes accommodation being held for planned moves of service units, or awaiting planned upgrades, sale or release, modernisation or demolition.
	Work is ongoing to further reduce the numbers of voids. Since March 2007, the number of void SFA properties has reduced from 13,336 to 12,240.

Armed Forces: Housing

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the total number of void  (a) single living accommodation and  (b) service family accommodation is in (i) the UK and (ii) overseas.

Derek Twigg: Of the 165,000 single living accommodation (SLA) bed-spaces and the 71,000 service family accommodation (SFA) worldwide, the number of voids in the UK and overseas is broken down as follows:
	
		
			  Accommodation type  Single living accommodation  Service family accommodation 
			 UK 22,022 9,390 
			 Overseas 12,291 2,850 
			 Total 34,293 12,240 
			  Note: Figures dated 22 January 2008 
		
	
	Void stock includes accommodation being held for planned moves of service units, or awaiting planned upgrades, sale or release, modernisation or demolition.
	Work is ongoing to further reduce the numbers of voids. Since March 2007, the total number of void SLA bed-spaces has reduced from 46,325 to 34,293 and in the same period, void SFA has reduced from 13,336 to 12,240 properties.

Armed Forces: Leave

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the  (a) average and  (b) highest percentage of annual leave lost by personnel in the (i) Army, (ii) Navy, (iii) RAF and (iv) all services has been in the last 12 months.

Derek Twigg: The information requested is not held centrally. However, the Defence Analytical Services Agency (DASA) undertake an annual Survey of Leave which captures the number of lost leave days for each respondent. Overall estimates for the Army and RAF for the 2006-07 leave year are shown in the following table.
	It is not possible to provide reliable 2006-07 estimates for the Navy (including Royal Marines) due to low response rates, caused by their migration to the new joint personnel administration system during the 2006-07 leave year.
	
		
			  Table of estimated average percentage and average number of annual leave days not taken and not carried forward in 2006-07 
			  Service  Average percentage of annual leave lost  Average number of annual leave days lost 
			 Army 4 1.3 
			 RAF 6 2.6 
		
	
	Since the survey of leave is a sample survey it cannot be used to identify the highest value in the population as a whole. The survey excludes personnel of Major General rank and above (or equivalents).
	Historical copies of the Survey of Leave report are available in the Library of the House and the 2006-07 report will be available shortly.

Armed Forces: Manpower

Patrick Mercer: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the peace establishment was of the  (a) Royal Dragoon Guards,  (b) 1(st) Battalion Scots Guards,  (c) Royal Scots Borderers, 1(st) Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland,  (d) 1(st) Battalion The Duke of Lancaster's Regiment,  (e) 1(st) Battalion The Mercian Regiment,  (f) D Battery, 3(rd) Regiment Royal Horse Artillery and  (g) K Battery, 5(th) Regiment Royal Artillery prior to deployment to Iraq; what the deployable strength of each battalion is; and how many of all ranks are physically unfit to deploy.

Bob Ainsworth: The information requested is shown in the following table. The relevant units are currently deployed and as the disclosure of exact numbers would, or would be likely to, prejudice the capability, effectiveness and security of our armed forces, numbers have been rounded to the nearest 100 or where less than 100 to the nearest 10, as appropriate.
	
		
			  Unit  Peace establishment prior to deployment  Strength on deployment  Personnel physically unfit to deploy 
			 1 Royal Dragoon Guards 500 500 60 
			 1 Battalion Scots Guards 700 600 70 
			 1 Royal Scots Borderers 600 500 40 
			 1 Lancaster Regiment 700 600 80 
			 1 Mercian Regiment (Cheshire) 600 500 60 
		
	
	3(rd) Regiment Royal Horse Artillery are providing an enduring commitment to operations in Iraq at sub unit level. K Battery 5(th) Regiment Royal Artillery is also providing a bespoke force element to meet current operational requirements. The combined deployment figure for both units is less than 100 personnel. The peace establishment for both forces prior to deployment is around 100 personnel each. However, I am withholding the actual figures as their disclosure would, or would be likely to, prejudice the capability, effectiveness and security of our armed forces.

Armed Forces: Medical Records

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many requests have been made for medical records of  (a) serving and  (b) veteran service personnel by (i) GPs, (ii) hospital consultants and (iii) individual service personnel and veterans, in each of the last five years; how many of those records were unable to be retrieved; and if he will make a statement.

Derek Twigg: In the Royal Navy and the Army, medical records of serving personnel are mostly held at individual unit level. Details of the number of requests could be obtained only by contacting each of them individually, which could be done only at disproportionate cost. The RAF primary health care directorate holds its records centrally, although an annual breakdown of requests is not available without a manual analysis of the records.
	The medical records for those who have left the armed forces may be held either by the MOD central health records library (CHRL) or by the three single services. The Service Personnel and Veterans Agency (SPVA) also holds some records, but in the majority of cases these will be on loan from the other organisations. When the SPVA receives requests for copies of records, it will in most cases obtain them from CHRL or the single services, thus itself accounting for a significant number of the requests recorded.
	Each organisation collates its figures in the way that best meets its own business needs. Only the Army has been able to break down the number of requests by the type of requester; in other organisations, this detail is not recorded centrally. Also, not all of them record the number of requests made where records are not held. Furthermore, these numbers will inevitably include instances of double-counting. For example, when a request for records has been made of more than one organisation, (CHRL, SPVA and the single services) this will usually result in a record not held tally in one of them.
	The information that can be provided is as follows,
	
		
			  CHRL 
			   Number of requests for medical records of veterans  Number of requests where records not held 
			 2003 1,523 n/k 
			 2004 1,800 287 
			 2005 1,721 462 
			 2006 1,769 381 
			 2007 (to end September) 1,551 357 
		
	
	
		
			  Royal Navy 
			   Number of requests for medical records of veterans  Number of requests where records not held 
			 2003 973 3 
			 2004 776 5 
			 2005 780 11 
			 2006 681 23 
			 2007 714 11 
		
	
	
		
			  Army 
			   Number of requests for medical records of veterans  Number of requests where records not held 
			   GP/consultant  Personnel 
			 2003 790 629 n/k 
			 2004 684 687 n/k 
			 2005 700 790 n/k 
			 2006 653 906 n/k 
			 2007 646 838 n/k 
		
	
	
		
			  RAF (primary health care) 
			   Number of requests for medical records of serving personnel  Number of requests where records not held 
			 2003-07 5,189 56 
		
	
	
		
			  RAF (veterans) 
			   Number of requests for medical records of veterans  Number of requests where records not held 
			 2003 Not available n/k 
			 2004 Not available n/k 
			 2005 Not available n/k 
			 2006 699 n/k 
			 2007 (to end November) 754 n/k

Armed Forces: Medical Records

John Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to introduce electronic medical records within the armed forces; and when they will be introduced.

Derek Twigg: The health records of members of the armed forces are already held electronically, but until recently records could only be accessed at an individual's local medical centre. As I announced in Colchester on 1 August 2007, the defence medical information capability Programme will improve this capability by providing a single integrated record for each member of the armed forces, which will be accessible at any armed forces medical and dental centre worldwide, and which will also eventually be linked to NHS IT systems. The implementation of this programme is under way, beginning with two pilot sites in February 2007. The system has now been rolled out to 140 medical centres in the Army and the RAF in the UK. Roll-out to all remaining medical and dental centres, including the Royal Navy and Defence sites overseas, is due to be complete by early 2009. Roll-out to deployed operational facilities, both on land and on HM ships, is due to begin in late 2008 and should be complete by the end of 2009.

Armed Forces: Offices

Ann Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how officers OF 1 to 10 and other ranks OR 1 to 9 relate to 2nd lieutenant through to general and private to warrant officer on the rank structure section of the Defence Analytical Services Agency TSP 09.

Derek Twigg: The information requested is available on page 3 of TSP 9. A copy of this is available at
	http://www.dasa.mod.uk/natstats/tsp9/tsp9tab4.html.

Armed Forces: Pay

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will place in the Library a copy of the latest edition of his Department's Local Overseas Allowances Survey report.

Derek Twigg: Analysis of the most recent survey is currently in progress so figures are not yet available.
	No formal report has previously been produced.

Armed Forces: Pay

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will place in the Library copies of his Department's  (a) main manning evidence and  (b) mid-year update manning evidence supplied to the Armed Forces' Pay Review Body for each financial year from 1997-98.

Derek Twigg: All available information on the manning evidence supplied to the Armed Forces' Pay Review Body from 1997-98 is being collated and will be placed in the Library in due course.

Armed Forces: Pay

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will place in the Library a copy of each of the tables containing data on  (a) medical officers and dentists,  (b) nursing staff and  (c) allied health professionals supplied to the Armed Forces' Pay Review Body in respect of each financial year from 1997-98.

Derek Twigg: All available information on medical officers and dentists, nursing staff and allied health professionals supplied to the Armed Forces' Pay Review Body from 1997-98 is being collated and will be placed in the Library in due course.

Armed Forces: Pay

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence in which years his Department has staged implementation of the recommendations of the Armed Forces' Pay Review Body since 1977.

Derek Twigg: Since 1977, the Government have staged the implementation of the Armed Forces' Pay Review Body (AFPRB) recommendations on seven occasions, but when this has occurred they have always been effected within the same financial year. Staging occurred in 1984, 1986, 1990, 1994, 1996, 1997 and 1998.

Armed Forces: Personnel Management

Mark Pritchard: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will hold discussions with those responsible for the operation of the Joint Personnel Administration system on marrying Territorial records with mobilised records.

Derek Twigg: There are no known systemic problems with the Joint Personnel Administration (JPA) system affecting reservists. However, there are two issues that are currently being addressed.
	At present, there is no provision via the JPA system for pension contributions to be paid by the MOD to the private or occupational pension schemes of volunteer reservists while they are mobilised. The facility to do this will be incorporated in the next major release of JPA software scheduled for March 2008. Until the automated solution is delivered in March, a manual process is in place.
	The second issue relates to a failure in some instances for action to be taken to inform the JPA system that a reservist has been mobilised. The implications of this are that any deductions that need to be made while reservists are mobilised may be taken in error from their attendance-based pay account, rather than their full-time pay account that becomes active while they are mobilised. Instances of this are rare, and I am confident that ongoing education and training of Human Resources administrators will eradicate the problem.

Armed Forces: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

John Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the evaluation of the trauma risk management pilot programme will be  (a) completed and  (b) published.

Derek Twigg: The trauma risk management (TRiM) study was conducted by the King's Centre for Military Health Research and the Academic Centre for Defence Mental Health on behalf of (and funded by) the MOD. The study is currently being written up for submission to peer-reviewed academic journals.

Armed Forces: Protective Clothing

Ann Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether weight-dispersion boots are available to British forces in theatres where mines are prevalent; and to which armed forces personnel they are made available.

Des Browne: Generally, UK armed forces only remove unexploded ordnance and mines that are a direct threat to operations, and they are provided with the equipment they need in order to do so safely. Weight-dispersion boots are not made available as these are best suited to use in humanitarian de-mining operations. While there were experiments of a similar capability in 2000, the boots were assessed as unsuitable for high-intensity operations where soldiers require the ability to breach minefields quickly and then revert immediately to normal combat operations.

Armed Forces: Recruitment

Brian Jenkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the  (a) Army,  (b) Royal Navy,  (c) Royal Air Force and  (d) Royal Marines recruitment targets were in each of the last 10 years; and what the actual recruitment to each service was in each year in that period.

Bob Ainsworth: The following table shows the actual recruitment to the UK regular forces(1) from civilian life as a percentage of recruitment targets for financial years 1997-98 to 2006-07.
	
		
			  ( 2) 1997-98 ( 2) 1998-99 ( 2) 1999-2000  2000-01  2001-02  2002-03  2003-04  2004-05  2005-06  2006-07 
			  Naval service( 3) 
			 Target n/a n/a n/a 4,840 5,040 5,060 4,160 3,750 3,930 4,030 
			 Actual recruitment 4,600 4,770 4,950 4,620 5,010 5,220 4,120 3,690 3,940 (4)3,770 
			 Percentage recruitment against target n/a n/a n/a 95 99 103 99 98 100 94 
			
			  Army 
			 Target n/a n/a n/a 16,670 14,160 15,270 14,490 12,250 13,400 13,950 
			 Actual recruitment 15,380 16,990 16,500 14,770 14,930 16,690 15,260 11,720 12,730 (4)14,300 
			 Percentage recruitment against target n/a n/a n/a 89 105 109 105 96 95 103 
			
			  RAF 
			 Target n/a n/a n/a 3,980 4,140 5,000 4,610 2,210 1,500 1,890 
			 Actual recruitment 3,530 4,250 4,100 3,630 3,780 4,450 4,160 2,180 1,480 1,720 
			 Percentage recruitment against target n/a n/a n/a 91 91 89 90 99 99 91 
			
			  All services 
			 Target n/a n/a n/a 25,490 23,340 25,340 23,270 18,210 18,840 19,870 
			 Actual recruitment 23,510 26,000 25,550 23,020 23,720 26,350 23,540 17,590 18,150 (4)19,790 
			 Percentage recruitment against target n/a n/a n/a 90 102 104 101 97 96 100 
			 n/a = not available (1) Data are for UK regular forces (trained and untrained), including nursing services and excluding full-time reserve service personnel, Gurkhas, the Home Service battalions of the Royal Irish Regiment and mobilised reservists. (2) Recruitment targets are not available pre financial year 2000-01 so only actual recruitment is shown for financial years 1997-98 to 1999-2000. (3) Targets are only available for Naval service as a whole. This includes Royal Navy and Royal Marine personnel. (4) Provisional and subject to review due to the ongoing validation of Joint Personnel Administration data.  Note: Numbers are rounded to the nearest 10. Percentages are calculated from unrounded data and are rounded to the nearest.  Source: DASA (Quad-Service)

Armed Forces: Training

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many and what proportion of armed forces training exercises were cancelled in 2007; and if he will list each such exercise and the reason for cancellation in each case.

Bob Ainsworth: During 2007, a total of 727 training events were scheduled on the Defence Exercise Programme, of which 76 (10.5 per cent.) were cancelled or, in the case of some multinational exercises, UK assets were withdrawn. In detail, 18 exercises were cancelled owing to operational commitments, 29 were removed as savings measures and seven were cancelled by other nations. The remaining 22 events were cancelled in response to changing priorities or rescheduling.
	Further details of the military exercise cancelled in 2007 are set out in the following table.
	
		
			   Exercise name  Location  Type  Reason for cancellation 
			 1 Frozen Star 07 Norway Air Operational commitments 
			 2 Snow Falcon 07-1 Europe Air Savings measure 
			 3 Lone Fin 07 Europe Air Savings measure 
			 4 Spontex 06-1 Europe Air Savings measure 
			 5 Virtual Flag 07-3 North America Air Host nation cancelled 
			 6 Trident Fury 07 North America Air Operational commitments 
			 7 Maple Flag 40-1 North America Air Operational commitments 
			 8 Maple Flag 40-3 North America Air Host nation cancelled 
			 9 Dragons Nest 07 Europe Air Savings measure 
			 10 Frairex-107 France Air Changed priorities 
			 11 Fac (A) Trg 07 USA Air Changed priorities 
			 12 FWIT07 Europe Air Savings measure 
			 13 Coop Archer 07 Europe Air operational commitments 
			 14 Wycombe Warrior 06-07 Day 1 UK Air rescheduled 
			 15 Ecadex 07 Australia Air changed priorities 
			 16 Patriot 07 North America Air savings measure 
			 17 Templar Forge 07-3 Europe Air operational commitments 
			 18 Lone Victor 07 Europe Air savings measure 
			 19 TLP 07-4 Europe Air Host nation cancelled 
			 20 Batus Run 07-1 North America Air Changed priorities 
			 21 1 ACC WTI 07 North America Air Operational commitments 
			 22 JRTC 07-1 North America Air Operational commitments 
			 23 NATO Maxeval 07 UK Air Operational commitments 
			 24 Bold Avenger 07 Europe Air Savings measure 
			 25 NATO Opeval 07 UK Air Operational commitments 
			 26 Lone Frame 07 Europe Air Savings measure 
			 27 Dapex 07 Spain Air Savings measure 
			 28 JTFEX US Air Savings measure 
			 29 Volcanex 07 Europe Air Savings measure 
			 30 Iberian Spear Europe Air Rescheduled 
			 31 Lone Kestrel 07 Europe Air Savings measure 
			 32 Harding Flame 1 Cyprus Air Operational commitments 
			 33 HARDINGFLAME2 Cyprus Air Operational commitments 
			 34 Uhlan Barbara 07 Europe Army Changed priorities 
			 35 Grand Prix 3 -06/07 Kenya Army Changed priorities 
			 36 Grand Prix 2- 07/08 Kenya Army Changed priorities 
			 37 Readiness Challenge 06/07 US Army Operational commitments 
			 38 Eagles Resolve 06 UK Army Changed priorities 
			 39 Global Gold 07/08 Kenya Army Operational commitments 
			 40 Cossack Steppe UK Army Operational commitments 
			 41 Britannia Way/Iberian Focus 07/08 Denmark Army Changed priorities 
			 42 Bald Eagle 07/08 USA Army Operational commitments 
			 43 Fingals Cave 07/08 Canada Army Host nation cancelled 
			 44 Bass Rock 07/08 Canada Army Host nation cancelled 
			 45 Flying Rose 2-07/08 USA Army Operational commitments 
			 46 Lion Star 1-07/08 Cyprus Army Savings measure 
			 47 Lion Star 2- 07/08 Cyprus Army Savings measure 
			 48 Lion Star 3- 07/08 Cyprus Army Savings measure 
			 49 Lion Star 4- 07/08 Cyprus Army Savings measure 
			 50 Lion Sun 1-07/08 Cyprus Army Savings measure 
			 51 Lion Sun 2- 07/08 Cyprus Army Savings measure 
			 52 Lion Sun 3- 07/08 Cyprus Army Savings measure 
			 53 Lion Sun 4- 07/08 Cyprus Army Savings measure 
			 54 Lion Sun 5- 07/08 Cyprus Army Savings measure 
			 55 Lion Sun 6- 07/08 Cyprus Army Savings measure 
			 56 Lion Sun 7- 07/08 Cyprus Army Savings measure 
			 57 Lion Sun 8- 07/08 Cyprus Army Savings measure 
			 58 Lion Sun 9- 07/08 Cyprus Army Savings measure 
			 59 Lion Sun 10- 07/08 Cyprus Army Savings measure 
			 60 Lion Sun 11- 07/08 Cyprus Army Savings measure 
			 61 Cobb Ring 07/08 USA Army Operational commitments 
			 62 Able Ally 07/08 Europe Army Changed priorities 
			 63 Global Kukri 07/08 Brunei Army Operational commitments 
			 64 Cyprus Forum 06 Cyprus Joint Changed priorities(1) 
			 65 Joint Venture 07/08 UK Joint Changed priorities 
			 66 Lobnet 1/07 UK Joint Changed priorities 
			 67 Fast Step 1/07 UK Joint Changed priorities 
			 68 Desert Thunder USA Joint Changed priorities 
			 69 Assegai Eyes 07 Denmark Joint Changed priorities 
			 70 Wild Dog 07 Kenya Joint Changed priorities 
			 71 Lemon Sole 1/07 UK Joint Changed priorities 
			 72 Bright Star 07 Egypt Joint Changed priorities 
			 73 CME/CMX 07 NATO and EU MOD cancelled by EU and NATO 
			 74 Steadfast Nerve 07 NATO wide NATO cancelled by natal 
			 75 Jagged Flame 07-1 Europe NATO Savings measure 
			 76 Coop Mako 07 Mediterranean Navy Changed priorities 
			 (1) Objectives met by operational commitment (Op highbrow)

Armed Forces: Working Hours

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the  (a) average and  (b) highest number of working hours for personnel in the (i) Army, (ii) Navy, (iii) RAF and (iv) all services was in the last 12 months.

Derek Twigg: The information requested is not held centrally on administration systems. However, the Defence Analytical Services Agency (DASA) carries out a continuous survey of working patterns which is used to provide estimates of average hours(1) worked by each service. This information is contained in the following table.
	
		
			  Table of estimated average hours worked( 1)  per week by service personnel( 2)  in 2006-07 
			  Service  Average number of hours worked per week 
			 Naval Service(3) 52.7 
			 Army 48.2 
			 RAF 43. 9 
			 Tri-Service 48.0 
			 (1) Hours worked includes time spent carrying out normal work, secondary duties, compulsory fitness training, organised sports and representational activities, but excludes annual leave, meal and tea breaks and time spent on call. (2) Survey excludes personnel of Major General rank and above (or equivalents). (3) Naval Service includes the Royal Navy and the Royal Marines. 
		
	
	Because the continuous survey of working patterns is a sample survey, it cannot be used to identify the highest value in the population as a whole.
	The 2006-07 copy of the continuous survey of working patterns report will be available in the Library of the House shortly.

Armoured Fighting Vehicles

Ann Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 10 December 2007,  Official Report, column 55W, on armoured fighting vehicles, what key user requirements the Cheetah vehicle did not meet; and what the key user requirements will be for future  (a) protected and  (b) unprotected military vehicles.

Bob Ainsworth: The Cheetah vehicle did not meet the minimum internal space requirement. With regard to future protected/unprotected military vehicles, I am withholding information about the key user requirements, as disclosure would, or would be likely to, prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the armed forces.

Armoured Fighting Vehicles

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much expenditure his Department has incurred repairing armoured vehicles damaged as a result of operations in  (a) Iraq and  (b) Afghanistan since 2001.

Bob Ainsworth: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 13 December 2007,  Official Report, column 777W.

Army: Commonwealth

Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Commonwealth citizens were recruited to the British Army in the last 12 months, broken down by nationality.

Derek Twigg: The following table shows the intake from civilian life to the UK Regular Army of officers and soldiers who have a Commonwealth nationality recorded. The intake is for the period 1 March 2006 to 28 February 2007 as flows for the last 12 months are currently unavailable.
	
		
			  Intake of officers, officer designates and soldiers with Commonwealth nationality from 1 March 2006 to 28 February 2007 
			  Nationality  Total 
			 Australian  
			 Bahamian  
			 Bangalee  
			 Barbadian  
			 Belizean  
			 Botswana  
			 Cameroonian 10 
			 Canadian 10 
			 Dominican 10 
			 Fijian 15 
			 Gambian 35 
			 Ghanaian 175 
			 Grenadian 10 
			 Guyanese  
			 Indian 15 
			 Jamaica 30 
			 Kenyan 30 
			 Malawian 20 
			 Mauritian 10 
			 New Zealander 5 
			 Nigerian 25 
			 Pakistani  
			 Saint Lucian 25 
			 Seychellois  
			 Sierra Leonian 5 
			 South African 180 
			 Sri Lankan  
			 Swazi 5 
			 Tongan  
			 Trinidadian 10 
			 Ugandan 20 
			 Vincentian 5 
			 Zambian 5 
			 Zimbabwean 60 
			 Total 740 
			  Notes: 1. Due to the ongoing validation of the new Joint Personnel Administration System DASA are unable at this time to provide any information for intake and nationality since April 2007. 2. Figures show trained and untrained intake from civilian life including rejoined reservists and re-enlistments. 3. UK Regular Army includes Nursing Services and excludes Full Time Reserve Service personnel, Gurkhas, the Home Service Battalions of the Royal Irish Regiments and mobilised reservists. 4. The nationality above is that recorded on intake and not necessarily the same as nationality at birth. 5. Although DASA are currently unable to provide the latest figures on intake, the strengths figure as at 1 November 2007 show a net increase of 130 in the number with Commonwealth nationality. 6. Figures have been rounded to the nearest 5 to limit disclosure and ensure confidentiality. Totals have been rounded separately and so may not appear to be the sum of their parts. 7. Data less than 5 has been suppressed and replaced with ''.

Army: Dogs

Mark Pritchard: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will hold discussions with the Kennel Club on increasing the supply of working dogs entering into service with the Royal Veterinary Corps of the British Army.

Derek Twigg: Any individuals or breeders, including members of the Kennel Club, are welcome to approach the dog procurement section at the Defence Animal Centre if they feel they have suitable dogs to supply to the Ministry of Defence. However, there is currently no shortage in supply of military working dogs.

Army: Manpower

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will place in the Library a copy of each of his Department's  (a) Army monthly manning report and  (b) Army cascade returns for each month since 2005-06.

Derek Twigg: Copies of the Defence Analytical Services Agency Army monthly manning report since April 2005 will be placed in the Library in due course. The last monthly manning report was produced in March 2007.
	I am withholding the Army cascade returns because their release would disclose personal information, and preparing them for disclosure would incur disproportionate cost.

Army: Northern Ireland

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many people from Northern Ireland joined the British Army in 2007.

Derek Twigg: In 2007, 257 people from Northern Ireland, who applied through one of the four Armed Forces Careers or Army Careers Information Offices in Northern Ireland, joined the Army.

Army: Recruitment

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the recruitment  (a) requirement and  (b) actual number achieved for the (i) infantry, (ii) Royal Artillery, (iii) Royal Logistic Corps and (iv) Royal Signals was in each month in 2007.

Derek Twigg: Recruiting targets are set against an annual, not monthly, requirement across financial years. Officers are not recruited against arm or corps targets but against a whole army requirement. The annual enlistment targets for soldiers for the arms and corps requested are shown below, together with the figures actually achieved.
	
		
			   Financial y ear 
			   2006-07  2007-08 
			  Arm or corps  Enlistment achievement  Annual target  Enlistment achievement to 31 December  Annual target 
			 Royal Artillery 970 1,030 780 1,020 
			 Royal Signals 750 870 360 880 
			 Royal Logistic Corps 2,100 2,410 1,090 2,080 
			 Infantry 4,310 4,260 2,800 4,940 
		
	
	Statistics have been rounded to the nearest 10, and numbers ending in five have been rounded to the nearest multiple of 20 to prevent systematic bias.

Ballistic Missile Defence: RAF Menwith Hill

Peter Kilfoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on what date the Government received the formal request from the United States administration for Menwith Hill to be used in the US Missile Defence System.

Des Browne: I refer the hon. Member to my answer of 7 January 2008,  Official Report, column 30W, to the hon. Member for Lewes (Norman Baker).

Chad: EC Defence Policy

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the status of the European Security and Defence Policy mission to Chad.

Bob Ainsworth: Deployment of the ESDP mission to Chad/Central African Republic had been temporarily suspended owing to the internal security situation in Chad. However, following the operation commander's assessment of the prevailing situation in Chad and discussions in the EU Political and Security Committee on 8 February, deployment has now resumed. Initial operating capability is still expected to be achieved by the end of March as previously planned.

Chelsea Barracks

John Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what progress has been made on the sale of Chelsea Barracks; what his most recent estimate is of the capital to be realised from the sale; and whether the receipts will be hypothecated as funding additional to current provision for new and improved accommodation for service personnel.

Derek Twigg: On 31 January 2008, the Ministry of Defence (MOD) completed the sale of Chelsea Barracks to Project Blue (Guernsey) Ltd for 959 million. Exchange of contracts took place in April 2007, and the receipts from the sale were anticipated as part of the MOD's plans for investment in service accommodation both in 2007-08 and as part of the comprehensive spending review. More than 200 million will be spent on service accommodation in the current financial year, and 550 million will be spent between 2008-09 and 2010-11 as announced in the comprehensive spending review White Paper. The balance of the proceeds will also be allocated for service accommodation as part of the next spending review. In addition, the Department has made available a further 80 million for investment in single living accommodation over the next three years.

Christmas Cards

Simon Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much his Department spent on  (a) Christmas cards and  (b) postage of Christmas cards in 2007.

Bernard Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much his Department has spent on  (a) Christmas cards and  (b) postage of Christmas cards in 2007-08.

Derek Twigg: MOD expenditure on Christmas cards and postage of Christmas cards for 2007 is 500 and 200 respectively.
	These figures include printing, purchase and postage, but exclude a small amount spent by Defence Attachs (for permitted representational purposes) which could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Christmas Cards

Anne Milton: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much his Department's agencies spent on  (a) Christmas cards and  (b) postage of Christmas cards in each year since 1997.

Derek Twigg: In 2005, 1,100 was spent on Christmas cards and postage and 200 was spent in 2006. No money was spent by the Department's agencies on Christmas cards or postage in 2007. The information for previous years could be provided only at disproportionate cost. Trading funds' expenditure is not included in this response, as they are outside the MOD's departmental boundary for financial reporting purposes.

Commonwealth: Armed Forces

Colin Challen: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many members of the UK armed forces who are citizens of other Commonwealth countries served in  (a) each of the services and  (b) operational theatres in each of the last 10 years.

Derek Twigg: The following table shows the number of other (non-UK) Commonwealth citizens (based on nationality) in the UK armed forces(1,2,3), at 1 April in each year.
	
		
			   Service 
			   Navy  Army  RAF  UK armed forces( 2) 
			 1998  360 n/a 360 
			 1999 n/a 450 n/a 450 
			 2000 n/a 820 n/a 820 
			 2001 n/a 1,430 n/a 1,430 
			 2002 n/a 2,410 n/a 2,410 
			 2003 n/a 4,150 n/a 4,150 
			 2004 n/a 5,420 n/a 5,420 
			 2005 n/a 6,040 n/a 6,040 
			 2006 n/a 6,410 (4)40 (4)6,450 
			 2007 (4)530 (4)6,670 (4)40 (4)7,240 
			 n/a = Data not available. Numbers have been rounded to the nearest 10. (1) Data are for UK Regular forces (trained and untrained), including Nursing Services and excluding Full Time Reserve Service personnel, Gurkhas, the Home Service battalions of the Royal Irish Regiment and mobilised reservists. (2) Information by country of origin for Navy personnel is only available post Joint Personnel Administration implementation (October 2006 for Navy). Information by country of origin for RAF personnel pre Joint Personnel Administration (April 2006 for RAF) can be provided only at a disproportionate cost. Information in the table above is for Army personnel only in 1998-2005; for Army and RAF personnel in 2006 and for all services in 2007. All 2007 information and 2006 RAF information is marked as provisional due to the ongoing validation of Army Joint Personnel Administration data. (3) Figures include personnel from Fiji and Pakistan which were suspended from the Commonwealth in December 2006 and November 2007 respectively and Zimbabwe which withdrew from the Commonwealth in December 2003. (4) Provisional  Source: DASA (Quad-Service) 
		
	
	Data on the nationality of UK armed forces who have served in operational theatres in each of the last 10 years are not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

CPS21 Publication

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will place in the Library copies of the quarterly CPS21 publication for each quarter since the third quarter of 2006-07.

Derek Twigg: Yes.

Defence Aviation Repair Agency

Gerald Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to the proposed sale of the Defence Aviation Repair Agency (DARA) to Vector Aerospace, how many members of the DARA workforce will transfer to a new pension scheme; how many will remain in the current Crown Service scheme; and how much he has agreed to transfer to the new scheme.

Bob Ainsworth: There are currently 797 MOD employees at DARA's Rotary Wing Business Unit at Fleetlands, Hampshire and 295 at the Components Business Unit in Almondbank, Perthshire who will transfer to the new Vector Aerospace pension scheme on sale completion, unless they choose to opt out. In accordance with the Government's Fair Deal for Staff Pensions (2004) guidance, they will not be able to remain members of the Principal Civil Service Pension Scheme (PCSPS) after sale completion. However, they will be entitled to three months' notice to decide whether to retain their accrued pension contributions in the PCSPS until retirement age or transfer the benefits to the new Vector Aerospace scheme.
	The MOD will not know how many employees will elect to retain their accrued benefits in the PCSPS until the three-month options exercise has been completed. The PCSPS actuaries will then be able to calculate the bulk transfer payment that will be transferred to the new Vector Aerospace scheme.

Defence: Procurement

Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects to publish the next phase of the Defence Industrial Policy.

Bob Ainsworth: The Defence Industrial Policy was published in 2002 and there is no current intention to update it. It has been taken forward by the White Paper Defence Industrial Strategy (CM 6697), published in 2005. We are currently reviewing the timetable for the publication of the updated Defence Industrial Strategy. I will inform the House of the publication date in due course.

Departmental Conditions of Employment

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will place in the Library copies of his Department's reports on  (a) the working patterns survey,  (b) the leave survey and  ( c ) pay analysiscurrent and future pay for the financial years 2005-06 and 2007-08.

Derek Twigg: Copies of the continuous working patterns survey and leave survey reports for 2005-06 are already available in the Library of the House. The 2006-07 copies will be available in the Library shortly. The 2007-08 reports will not be produced until summer 2008.
	The outputs from the pay analysescurrent and future pay report are purely unrounded numerical data held in spreadsheet format. As such, no accessible reports are available for publication and could be produced only at disproportionate cost.

Departmental Data Protection

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what his Department's policy is on the  (a) classification and  (b) electronic storage of sensitive information.

Des Browne: holding answer 25 January 2008
	The Ministry of Defence follows Government policy on the classification and electronic storage of sensitive information.
	The value of the information determines its classification. Only the originator of the information can apply a protective marking and this cannot be changed without the originator's consent. Personnel are required to take account of the protective marking of the information and to apply the standard of encryption appropriate to the protective marking.

Departmental Data Protection

Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  what steps he has taken on  (a) informing and  (b) advising those whose personal data was contained in the missing laptops; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  what advice has been given to those whose data was contained on the missing departmental laptops.

Bob Ainsworth: holding answer 7 February 2008
	As my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State said in his statement of 21 January 2008,  Official Report, column 1225, we have written to the 3,702 personnel on the database whose bank details have been potentially compromised. In that letter, recipients were informed that the MOD had arranged for their bank or building society to be contacted about the theft, and those banks and building societies will monitor their accounts for signs of any unauthorised activity.
	The banks and building societies have assured the MOD that they have the appropriate safeguards in place and that there is no need for people to ask for a new account. Under the Banking Code, when accounts are used fraudulently by a third party the account holder is not liable.
	We also advised that individuals might wish to take steps to protect themselves. For example, they should contact their bank or building society immediately in the event of any unexpected activity on their accounts. We reminded recipients that they should not give out personal details if anyone contacted them unexpectedly. We advised them to take a note of the caller's name and telephone number and, if they were suspicious, to contact their bank or building society. Lastly, if any of the passwords they used to access their accounts were based on their personal data, we advised that they should consider changing those passwords.
	In addition, the Department has written to a further 147,823 people whose personal details have been lost, and similar advice was provided.
	Finally, for those who wished to make further inquiries we have established a freephone helpline, an e-mail address and a freepost address for people seeking clarification on what personal data has been lost.

Departmental Data Protection

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what his Department's policy is on the use of universal serial bus flash memory data storage devices to store  (a) restricted,  (b) confidential,  (c) secret and  (d) top secret data.

Bob Ainsworth: Only MOD universal serial bus memory data storage devices, which have been approved by the systems accreditor, are to be used.
	All such devices, regardless of the protective marking of the data, are to be registered and issued to named individuals, who remain responsible for the device. With the exception of unclassified material, the data on the device must be encrypted, and the device must be securely destroyed when no longer needed.

Departmental Freedom of Information

Patrick Mercer: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what percentage of Freedom of Information requests received from  (a) parliamentarians,  (b) businesses,  (c) academics and  (d) media sources have been agreed to by his Department since the Freedom of Information Act 2000 came into force.

Derek Twigg: It should be noted that the statistics contained within this answer refer only to requests for information in which applicants have declared their occupation. This is not necessary for the Department to process a request.
	
		
			   Percentage of total FOI requests from these sources and  answered in full or part  Percentage of FOI requests from these sources answered in full or part  Percentage of total FOI requests, which where from these sources and were refused in full  Percentage of FOI requests from these sources refused in full 
			 Parliament 0.5 34.2 0.1 1.9 
			 Business 5.8 57.0 0.4 4.1 
			 Academia 2.5 56.3 0.2 4.3 
			 Media 6.6 37.0 1.0 5.6 
		
	
	When requests are refused in full, it is either because the information was considered exempt under the FOI Act or because answering them would incur a cost to the Department which would exceed the 'appropriate limit', set at 600.
	The status of the remaining requests known to be from these sectors, is currently defined as 'other', which means that they have been withdrawn by the requester; that they are subject to a permitted extension under the FOI Act; that they are 'open', i.e. their status cannot currently be determined; or that the requested information was not held by the Department.

Departmental ICT

Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many  (a) mobile telephones,  (b) personal digital assistants and  (c) laptop computers issued to departmental staff were reported (i) lost, (ii) missing and (iii) stolen in each year since 2001.

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many universal serial bus flash memory data storage devices used to store  (a) restricted,  (b) confidential,  (c) secret and  (d) top secret data have been lost by or stolen from his Department in each year since 2001.

Bob Ainsworth: As a result of the recent theft of a laptop, the Ministry of Defence has initiated an investigation into the details of all lost or stolen electronic media since 2003. This investigation involves the collation and examination of reports from across the Department including final disposal action where available. While every effort is being made to gather the information as quickly and accurately as possible, not all the details are currently available. In addition, it should be noted that details of such incidents were not collated centrally before 2003 and therefore will not be available.
	I will write to the hon. Members when the information has been collated, and will place a copy of my letter in the Library of the House.

Departmental ICT

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many of his Department's personal digital assistants have been  (a) lost and  (b) stolen in each of the last five years; and what the value of those items was.

Bob Ainsworth: As a result of the recent theft of a laptop, the Ministry of Defence has initiated an investigation into the details of all lost or stolen electronic media, including PDAs, since 2003. This process involves examining and collating reports from across the Ministry of Defence including final disposal action.
	While every effort is being made to gather the information expeditiously, not all the details are currently available.
	I will write to the hon. Member when the information is available, and will arrange for a copy to be placed in the Library of the House.

Departmental Leadership

Mark Pritchard: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the outcomes have been of steps taken to improve corporate leadership in his Department following the findings of his Department's capability review.

Bob Ainsworth: We are approaching the halfway stage of a two-year plan to strengthen corporate leadership in the Department and the other three areas identified by the capability review. This includes a continued effort by the senior leadership team to provide the Department with strong and visible corporate leadership, supported by changes in board structures which will be fully implemented by 1 April. These include the replacement of a large number of subordinate boards and committees with a single operating board to ensure that the Defence board's strategic direction is carried through into action.

Departmental Manpower

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what estimate he has made of his Department's authorised civilian work force in the financial years  (a) 2008-09 and  (b) 2010-11.

Derek Twigg: The MOD is currently undertaking a number of programmes that will ultimately result in a smaller civilian work force. Estimates of the number of civilians have not been finalised.

Departmental Marketing

Eric Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many branded plastic bags his Department has purchased in the last 24 months for which figures are available; and at what cost.

Derek Twigg: The information is not held centrally and could be provided at disproportionate cost only.

Departmental Ministerial Policy Advisers

Charles Walker: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the special advisers employed in his Department since 6 May 1997; and what the  (a) start and  (b) end date of employment was in each case.

Des Browne: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Defence on 14 January 2008,  Official Report, column 884W, to the hon. Member for Brent, East (Sarah Teather).

Departmental Pay

Gerald Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the  (a) net pay bill cost and  (b) net percentage increase to the pay bill was of implementing his Department's civilian pay rises in each financial year from 1996-97 to 2007-08.

Derek Twigg: The civilian staff pay bill costs are as follows:
	
		
			   Total pay costs ( billion) 
			 1997-98 2.0 
			 1998-99 2.0 
			 1999-2000 2.1 
			 2000-01 2.1 
			 2001-02 2.1 
			 2002-03 2.1 
			 2003-04 2.1 
			 2004-05 2.2 
			 2005-06 2.4 
			 2006-07 2.4 
			  Note: This table shows the total civilian paybill costs for all industrial and non-industrial civil servants employed by MOD, excluding trading funds and locally engaged civilians. The costs include pay, employer's ERNIC and pension contributions. They also include an element of pay allowances such as Recruitment and Retention Allowances (both locational and functional). 
		
	
	The MOD civilian work force consists of myriad groups of staff which are subject to different pay bargaining processes and different annual pay settlements. The information requested could therefore be provided only at disproportionate cost. Pay settlements are implemented in accordance with Government pay policy.

Departmental Public Relations

Jeremy Browne: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many external contracts his Department held with public relations companies in each of the last 10 years; and what the total cost of those contracts was.

Derek Twigg: The information requested is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Departmental Reports

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what reports Ministers in his Department have received from  (a) civil servants and  (b) military personnel in the last three months.

Derek Twigg: Ministers routinely receive reports, oral and written, from civil servants and military personnel on a wide range of subjects. Information on the total number of reports and the subjects they have covered is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Departmental Reports

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what reports have been commissioned by Ministers in his Department in the last three months.

Des Browne: Ministers routinely commission reports, oral and written, on a wide range of subjects. Information on the total number of reports and the subjects they have covered is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Departmental Sick Leave

John Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when his Department plans to undertake an evaluation of its new sickness absence management programme.

Derek Twigg: A full post-project evaluation of the sickness absence management (SAM) programme was conducted in October 2007. As a consequence, the SAM policy has been rewritten in order to make it more explanatory and to include the interaction with the newly introduced patient care pathway. The policy is kept under constant review to ensure that it remains effective.

Employment Agencies

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much his Department paid to recruitment agencies in relation to departmental appointments in each year since 1997.

Derek Twigg: Decisions on the appointment of recruitment agencies to assist with external recruitment are delegated to many different parts of the Department, and therefore the information requested could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
	All recruitment of civil servants to the Department complies with the code for recruitment provided by the Civil Service Commissioners. A management area may employ a recruitment agency when it judges that this is necessary to attract the best candidates for the post.

Estonia: Hacking

Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent discussions he has had with his NATO counterparts on the distributed denial of service attack on Estonian critical infrastructure in May 2007.

Bob Ainsworth: The disruption that Estonia faced in May 2007 underlines the importance of the work that NATO is carrying out on cyber defence and the protection of critical infrastructure. Cyber defence is discussed by NATO Defence Ministers on a regular basis, most recently at their meeting in Vilnius which the Secretary of State for Defence attended on 7-8 February.

EU Battlegroups

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether non-NATO European Union member states providing EU battlegroups in support of the EU's battlegroup concept train to NATO common standards.

Des Browne: The EU battlegroup concept directs that whenever it is possible and applicable to do so, battlegroup packages must be trained to and able to meet the same standards and criteria required for similar formations assigned to the NATO Response Force.

Fort Halstead: Manpower

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the greatest number of people employed at Fort Halstead in Kent has been; and in which year that number of people were employed.

Bob Ainsworth: h olding answer 7 January 2008
	 Prior to 2001 the site at Fort Halstead was operated by DERA, the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency. Following the split of DERA in July 2001 the site has been owned and managed by the privatised company QinetiQ, but has retained an enclave of staff from the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl), via a formal 99 year lease.
	Dstl only has accurate figures from 1 July 2001, vesting day. On this date Dstl had 529 employees based at Fort Halstead, over the years this has increased to a maximum of 716 on 1 February 2008.

France

William Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions his Department has had with the French commission undertaking a review of French defence and national security; and if he will make a statement.

Des Browne: UK and French officials meet regularly to discuss defence and security issues, both bilaterally and in the context of NATO and the EU. In addition, senior officials in the Ministry of Defence, the Cabinet Office and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office held discussions with Mr. Mallet, the Head of the French commission, during his visit to the UK in October 2007.

Future Rapid Effect System

Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  what the planned in-service date is of the future rapid effect system; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  if he will make a statement on the Future Rapid Effect System.

Bob Ainsworth: The Future Rapid Effect System (FRES) will deliver a fleet of wheeled and tracked armoured vehicles capable of operating across the spectrum of operations and protecting against the most likely threats. We are making significant progress with FRES, and I announced the successful completion of the utility vehicle design trials at the end of November. We have undertaken further work and will make a definitive announcement on a preferred design to be taken forward in due course.
	In service dates are not normally set until the main investment decision.

Gurkhas

Mark Pritchard: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  if he will put in place measures to  (a) reduce the number of serving Royal Gurkha Rifles personnel who are leaving the British Army in order to apply for indefinite leave to remain (ILR) in the United Kingdom and  (b) extend ILR status to such personnel;
	(2)  if he will extend home student status to the children of serving Royal Gurkha Rifles personnel.

Derek Twigg: Gurkha service in the British Army is enabled through an agreement made between the Governments of the UK, Nepal and India in 1947the Tripartite Agreement. Gurkhas are recruited in Nepal and remain Nepalese citizens throughout their service in the Brigade of Gurkhas. This is in line with the wishes of the Government of Nepal.
	There is no evidence to suggest that significant numbers of Gurkha personnel are applying to leave the British Army early in order to seek indefinite leave to remain in the United Kingdom. Under their new terms and conditions of service, introduced last year, Gurkhas now have the opportunity to transfer to the wider Army after five years, where they would cease to be Gurkhas and serve as Nepalese Service Personnel. They would then be entitled to apply for naturalisation under the normal immigration rules for Her Majesty's forces.
	Government policy on eligibility for home student status is the responsibility of the Department of Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS). Under current arrangements, dependents of Gurkha soldiers are ineligible for home student status while their parents remain Nepalese citizens. The Ministry of Defence is currently working with the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills to address this issue.

Gurkhas: Higher Education

James Gray: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will assess the merits of helping serving Gurkhas who apply for indefinite leave to remain in the UK with the payment of university fees for their children.

Derek Twigg: Serving Gurkhas cannot apply for indefinite leave to remain in the UK. Gurkha service in the British Army is enabled through an agreement made between the Governments of the UK, Nepal and India in 1947the Tripartite Agreement. Gurkhas are recruited in Nepal and remain Nepalese citizens throughout their service in the Brigade of Gurkhas. This is in line with the wishes of the Government of Nepal.
	Under their new terms and conditions of service, introduced last year, Gurkhas now have the opportunity to apply to transfer to the wider Army after five years, where they would cease to be Gurkhas and serve as Nepalese Service Personnel. They would then be entitled to apply for naturalisation under the normal immigration rules for Her Majesty's Forces.
	Under current arrangements, dependants of Gurkha soldiers are ineligible for home student status while their parents remain Nepalese citizens. The Ministry of Defence is currently working on this issue with the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills, which has responsibility for Government policy in this area.

Individual Resettlement Training Costs Grant

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what his Department's budget is for the individual resettlement training costs grant in financial years  (a) 2008-09,  (b) 2009-10 and  (c) 2010-11.

Derek Twigg: The information is not held in the format requested and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. The three single services operate different budgetary regimes which, in the case of the RAF, means that individual resettlement training costs grant budgetary costs are not separately identified but are subsumed into wider training costs budgets, which are then devolved down to station level.
	I am able to provide the following details for the Royal Navy and Army:
	
		
			million 
			 2008-09 4.5 
			 2009-10 4.6 
			 2010-11 4.7

Intimidation

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many cases of bullying have been reported in  (a) his Department and  (b) its agencies in each of the last 12 months.

Derek Twigg: For the MOD civil service the number of bullying cases in the Ministry of Defence and its agencies is as follows:
	
		
			   Bullying cases( 1) 
			 January 2007 2 
			 February 2007 2 
			 March 2007 0 
			 April 2007 5 
			 May 2007 2 
			 June 2007 7 
			 July 2007 8 
			 August 2007 2 
			 September 2007 2 
			 October 2007 2 
			 November 2007 2 
			 December 2007 6 
			 (1) The figures show the number of formal complaints raised through the Department's harassment and bullying complaints procedure where investigation by a harassment investigation officer has been requested. Figures for complaints raised informally or resolved locally are not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. 
		
	
	For the armed forces, monthly information is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. However, the total number of cases reported over the latest available 12-month period (1 October 2006 to 31 September 2007) is summarised in the following table.
	
		
			  Service  Investigated( 1) 
			 Royal Navy 16 
			 Army 31 
			 Royal Air Force 29 
			 (1 )This column records the number of formal complaints of bullying reported within each service. This number includes ongoing cases and complaints which were later withdrawn 
		
	
	The Department's unified diversity strategy makes clear that bullying and harassment are not tolerated in the Ministry of Defence or the armed forces. Revised complaints procedures were published in January 2007.

Iraq: Detainees

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the total cost to date to the public purse has been of prosecutions, trial proceedings and internal military investigations and proceedings concerned with the death of Mr. Baha Musa in Iraq in British custody.

Des Browne: It has not been possible to collate all the necessary information within the required timescale. The following figures are for those costings available to date, though they are not final sums.
	Army Criminal Legal Aid Authority costs for all defence teams are 8,140,696.91. The Military Court Service costs, including costs for witnesses, transcription, hotel bills, catering, interpreters and miscellaneous items, are 363,800. The Army Prosecuting Authority costs, including those for the judicial review, are 1,231,240.
	I will write to the hon. Member once the costings for other areas have been received.

Iraq: Interpreters

David Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent steps his Department has taken on the  (a) safety of and  (b) support for Iraqi interpreters working with British forces in Iraq.

Des Browne: We take our responsibilities to the Iraqi interpreters working with UK armed forces in Iraq extremely seriously, and have in place various measures for their protection and support. If a direct threat is made against any of our locally employed civilians we will take action to provide them with extra security, which may include bringing them into the contingency operating base. If an interpreter is required for a particularly sensitive issue, which would place an Iraqi in a difficult situation, then we will use a third-country national to translate instead.
	As my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister announced on 8 October 2007,  Official Report, columns 23-24, we have introduced a policy to provide additional assistance to recognise more fully the unique contribution made by our Iraqi staff who have completed their work with us. This policy was detailed in written statements to the House by my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary on 9 October 2007,  Official Report, column 27WS, and 30 October 2007,  Official Report, column 30WS, and is now in the process of being implemented.

Iraq: Military Equipment

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 21 January 2008,  Official Report, columns 1601-03W, on military equipment: Iraq, what types of body armour were gifted by the UK to the Iraqi government in 2005; and what the origin of the body armour so gifted was.

Des Browne: The UK gifted 25,058 sets of body armour in 2005. These sets are made up of two elements, a bullet/fragmentation vest and a ballistic plate. The body armour was purchased from a commercial contractor specifically for gifting to the Iraqi authorities as part of the UK's efforts to prepare the Iraqi security forces to be self-sufficient in the management of their own security.

Iraq: Peacekeeping Operations

Willie Rennie: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what estimate he has made of the number of civilian  (a) women and  (b) children killed in Iraq since March 2003; and how many of these died as a result of UK armed forces activity.

Des Browne: I have nothing to add to the answer given by the Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, my hon. Friend the Member for Pontypridd (Dr. Howells), on 9 October 2007,  Official Report, column 545W, to the hon. Member for Bristol, West (Stephen Williams). The UK Government do not collate these figures.

Iraq: Peacekeeping Operations

Willie Rennie: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence with which of his foreign counterparts he has held discussions on the withdrawal of UK forces from Iraq.

Des Browne: I have regular discussions with my counterparts from coalition countries, including the United States and our partners in Multi-National Division (South-East), on issues of mutual interest, including the situation in Iraq.

Iraq: Peacekeeping Operations

Willie Rennie: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what his plans are for the withdrawal of British troops from Iraq.

Des Browne: I have nothing further to add to the statement made by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 8 October 2007,  Official Report, columns 21-25.

Iraq: Peacekeeping Operations

Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  how many attacks have been made on British forces stationed at Basra airbase in each of the last 12 months;
	(2)  what the average number of daily attacks against Basra airbase was in the last three months, broken down by day of the week;
	(3)  what type of munitions are being used against British forces stationed at Basra airbase.

Des Browne: The number of attacks on British forces stationed at Basra airbase in each of the last 12 months for which data is available is shown as follows:
	
		
			   Attack  
			   Mortar  Other  Rocket  Shoot  Grand total 
			 January 2007   18  18 
			 February 2007  1 12  13 
			 March 2007 1  10  11 
			 April 2007   64 1 65 
			 May 2007   77 1 78 
			 June 2007   76  76 
			 July 2007   74  74 
			 August 2007   32  32 
			 September 2007   5  5 
			 October 2007   9  9 
			 November 2007   11 2 13 
			 December 2007   12  12 
			  1 1 400 4 406 
		
	
	The average number of daily attacks against Basra airbase in the last three months, broken down by day of the week, is shown in the following table.
	
		
			   Attackrocket 
			 Monday 8 
			 Tuesday 5 
			 Wednesday 6 
			 Thursday 4 
			 Friday 8 
			 Saturday 6 
			 Sunday 3 
		
	
	The vast majority of munitions employed against British forces stationed at Basra airbase are 107mm, 122mm and 240mm rockets. One 120mm rocket was fired over the last year.

Iraq: Peacekeeping Operations

Mark Pritchard: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether the Finance Director of his Department has visited  (a) Operation Telic and  (b) Operation Herrick to view existing operations.

Des Browne: Non-essential visits to operational theatres are kept to the absolute minimum. The MOD's finance director visited Operation Telic when working for Commander-in-Chief, Land Command, but has not visited Operation Telic or Operation Herrick in his capacity as finance director.

Iraq: Peacekeeping Operations

John Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the next report on health surveillance research on personnel deployed on Operation Herrick and Operation Telic will be made; and whether the research will continue until the end of all troop deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Derek Twigg: A second three-year phase of research on the physical and psychological health of Operations Telic and Herrick personnel is currently being conducted by King's College London; it is contracted to provide the Ministry of Defence with an interim report by the end of February 2009 and a final report by the end of August 2009. I would expect to make a statement on receipt of the final report, and will do so on receipt of the interim report if any clear issues of significance have emerged at that point.
	With regard to findings from the first phase of this research, 12 papers have been published in the scientific literature to date, and more will follow. The timing of such publications, in accordance with academic practice, is a matter for the researchers and the scientific journals concerned. No decision has yet been made about continuing the research beyond 2009.

Marines: Deployment

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the most recent tour interval is for each unit in the Royal Marines.

Bob Ainsworth: The most recent tour intervals for each major unit of the Royal Marines were as follows:
	
		
			   Months 
			 40 Commando Royal Marines 32 
			 42 Commando Royal Marines 41 
			 45 Commando Royal Marines 28 
			 HQ 3 Commando Brigade Royal Marines 41 
			 Commando Logistics Regiment Royal Marines 41 
			 Command Support Group 41 
		
	
	Between these major unit deployments, elements of some of these units have also been deployed in support of other units and operations.

Military Bases: Helicopters

James Gray: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the commencement date of Project Belvedere is.

Bob Ainsworth: Project Belvedere, now known as Programme Belvedere, commenced in June 2005.

Military Equipment

James Gray: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the application of the harmony guidelines to REME Metalsmiths Class 1.

Derek Twigg: The harmony guidelines are designed to ensure that the armed forces can perform the tasks that the Government require of them, without expecting our people to bear an excessive burden. They are applied to all trades in the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME) in a similar manner to other specialist trades (for example the Corps of Royal Engineers).

Military Equipment: Finance

Dai Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what his Department's planned expenditure is on  (a) new armoured vehicles for the Army and  (b) new escort ships for the Royal Navy in each of the next five years.

Bob Ainsworth: It has been assumed that 'new armoured vehicles' refers to the future rapid effect system (FRES), and that 'new escorts' refers to the Type 45 destroyer.
	FRES has not yet reached the main gate approval point and actual costs for design and manufacture have yet to be set. The forecast cost of Type 45 in the National Audit Office Major Projects Report 2007 is 6,464 million for six ships. Detailed spending plans are kept under review and exposure of more detailed budgeting profiles would prejudice the ongoing commercial negotiations of the projects.

Ministry of Defence Police and Guarding Agency: Colchester

Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the authorised strength of the Ministry of Defence police force at the Colchester Garrison was in  (a) May 1997,  (b) May 2001 and  (c) May 2005; and what the authorised strength now is.

Derek Twigg: The term 'authorised strength' is interpreted to be the staff complement as agreed between Land Command and the MDP. As such the authorised strength of the Ministry of Defence Police (MDP) at the Colchester Garrison in May 1997, May 2001, May 2005 and January 2008 was as follows:
	
		
			   Authorised strength 
			 May 1997 32 
			 May 2001 33 
			 May 2005 20 
			 January 2008 9 
		
	
	The MDP provides a community policing role at the Colchester Garrison and does not provide security for the establishment. Security is provided by the Army unit stationed at the garrison.
	These figures do not include Criminal Investigation Department Officers who are not part of the MDP complement at the Colchester Garrison and not funded by Land Command. They are based in Colchester for administrative convenience and are responsible for investigating crime on defence estates in East Anglia.

Ministry of Defence Police and Guarding Agency: Colchester

Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Ministry of Defence police officers were employed at the Colchester Garrison in  (a) May 1997,  (b) May 2001,  (c) May 2005,  (d) May 2006 and  (e) May 2007; and how many are now employed there.

Derek Twigg: The number of Ministry of Defence police officers employed at Colchester in  (a) May 1997,  (b) May 2001,  (c) May 2005,  (d) May 2006,  (e) May 2007 and January 2008 is as follows:
	
		
			   Total 
			 May 1997 32 
			 May 2001 33 
			 May 2005 20 
			 May 2006 20 
			 May 2007 12 
			 January 2008 9 
		
	
	The MDP provides a community policing role at the Colchester Garrison and does not provide security for the establishment. Security is provided by the Army unit stationed at the garrison.
	These figures do not include Criminal Investigation Department officers who are not part of the MDP complement at the Colchester Garrison and are not funded by Land Command. They are based in Colchester for administrative convenience, and are responsible for investigating crime on defence estates in East Anglia.

Ministry of Defence Police and Guarding Agency: Manpower

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Ministry of Defence Guarding Agency officers there were in each year since 1997.

Derek Twigg: The Ministry of Defence Guard Service (MGS) is the uniformed, unarmed element forming part of the larger Ministry of Defence Police and Guarding Agency. The Ministry of Defence Guard Service was formed into a corporate structure as part of the Ministry of Defence Police and Guarding Agency in April 2004.
	The information requested is provided in the following table.
	
		
			   Number of MGS 
			 1997 4,109 
			 1998 4,141 
			 1999 4,230 
			 2000 4,101 
			 2001 3,743 
			 2002 3,626 
			 2003 3,659 
			 2004 3,621 
			 2005 3,883 
			 2006 3,923 
			 2007 3,990

Ministry of Defence Police and Guarding Agency: Recruitment

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Ministry of Defence Guarding Agency officers were recruited in each year since 1997.

Derek Twigg: The information requested is provided in the following table. Full records do not exist for the years prior to April 2004, when the Ministry of Defence Guard Service was formed into a corporate structure as part of the Ministry of Defence Police and Guarding Agency.
	
		
			   Recruited 
			 1997 Unknown 
			 1998 Unknown 
			 1999 Unknown 
			 2000 Unknown 
			 2001 Unknown 
			 2002 Unknown 
			 2003 Unknown 
			 2004 302 
			 2005 359 
			 2006 317 
			 2007 143

Navy

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will place in the Library a copy of his Department's  (a) Navy sitrepmain version and  (b) Navy sitrepRoyal Marine version for each month since 2005-06.

Bob Ainsworth: The Naval Monthly Sitreps (Situation Reports) are designed for internal circulation to Navy branch managers, giving a range of statistics about strengths, inflows and outflows of Navy staff by various dimensions such as specialisation and rank.
	The numbers in the reports are not fully rounded, with numbers under 10 being unrounded. Because this might allow personally disclosive information to be revealed, only fully rounded versions can be placed in the Library of the House.
	A fully rounded version of the main Sitrep for September 2006 is available in the Library of the House. I will place a fully rounded version of the latest editions (December 2007), in the Library of the House. Previous editions could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Navy: Manpower

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will place in the Library a copy of each of the Royal Navy's  (a) Manpower Planning Assumptions,  (b) Rating Planning Model,  (c) Officers Planning Model,  (d) Officers Strategic Planning Model and  (e) Naval Manpower Brief for the financial years 2006-07 and 2007-08.

Bob Ainsworth: I will place a copy of the latest editions of the Navy Manpower Planning Assumptions for 2007 in the Library of the House. It has been edited to remove some personal names, and details of future recruiting assumptions and transfer numbers by specialisation, as this information would, or would be likely to, prejudice the capability, effectiveness and security of the armed forces. Where this has been done it has been indicated in the document. The edition for runs in 2006 is already available in the Library of the House. The next edition, for planning runs to be run in 2008, has not yet been finalised.
	I am withholding the models themselves as their release would, or would be likely to, prejudice the capability, effectiveness and security of the armed forces and they contain personal information.
	I am also withholding the Naval Manpower Brief, as its release would or would be likely to prejudice the capability, effectiveness and security of the armed forces.

Nimrod Aircraft

David Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many times a Government Minister has travelled in an RAF Nimrod aircraft in each of the last five years.

Des Browne: Records show that no Government Minister has travelled in a Nimrod during the past five years. The Nimrod is a reconnaissance aircraft and it would not be used as a mode of transport.
	However, MOD Ministers have visited RAF Kinloss and RAF Waddington, where Nimrod aircraft are based, on eight separate occasions in the past five years, as well as visiting Nimrod crews deployed on operations.

Nuclear Disarmament

Dai Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what consideration he gave to inviting  (a) Israel,  (b) India and  (c) Pakistan when planning the technical conference involving the laboratories of nuclear weapon-states in collaborative work on confidence building in nuclear disarmament, as announced in his speech to the conference on disarmament in Geneva on 5 February.

Des Browne: The UK has offered to host a conference between the nuclear laboratories of the five nuclear-weapon states recognised under the terms of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (China, France, Russia, the UK and the United States). The aim of the Conference will be to address some of the difficult technical issues related to the verification of nuclear disarmament as we work toward a world free from nuclear weapons. It will examine ways of furthering the disarmament goals of Article VI of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, to which Israel, India and Pakistan are not state parties.

Nuclear Warhead Capability Sustainment Programme: Finance

Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the projected expenditure on the Nuclear Warhead Capability Sustainment Programme is  (a) in each year from 2008-09 to 2010-11 and  (b) in the life of the programme from 2005 to 2015.

Des Browne: I refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave him on 11 December 2007,  Official Report, column 400W.

Nuclear Weapons: Decommissioning

Dai Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what funding his Department has supplied to the Atomic Weapons Establishment at Aldermaston for research on the verification of the dismantlement of nuclear warheads since 1997; and what provision has been made for such research in the next three years.

Bob Ainsworth: The MOD's arms control verification research (ACVR) programme commenced in April 2000, following the Strategic Defence Review. A small amount of work was undertaken prior to this to develop the forward programme, but detailed costs, cannot be extracted from the overall 'nuclear test limitation' programme which existed at the time. Costs incurred directly against the ACVR programme for the period 2000-01 to 2006-07, inclusive, were approximately 2 million. In addition to this, indirect support has been provided from other AWE programme areas.
	For the financial year 2007-08, the ACVR budget is 420,000. The MOD is currently reviewing the ACVR programme's future resource allocation to ensure it is commensurate with meeting policy objectives.

Reserve Forces: Manpower

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the latest figure is for the  (a) required and  (b) actual total training strength of the (i) Territorial Army, (ii) Royal Navy Reserve, (iii) Royal Marines Reserve and (iv) Royal Auxiliary Air Force.

Bob Ainsworth: The latest figures for the Volunteer Reserves are as follows:
	
		
			   Required trained strength  Actual trained strength  As a percentage 
			 Royal Naval Reserve 1,784 1,652 93 
			 Royal Marines Reserve 582 519 89 
			 Territorial Army 30,274 21,069 70 
			 Royal Auxiliary Air Force 2,011 1,264 63 
		
	
	Figures for the Royal Naval Reserve and Royal Marines Reserve are as at 31 January 2008. Figures for the Territorial Army are the latest available, and are as at 1 March 2007, when joint personnel administration went live for the Army. Figures for the Royal Auxiliary Air Force are as at 31 December 2007. In all cases the numbers are based on those who have successfully completed their required training.

Royal Engineers: Deployment

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the average tour intervals were for each unit of the  (a) Royal Engineers and  (b) Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers in the latest period for which figures are available.

Bob Ainsworth: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 26 November 2007,  Official Report, column 3W.

Service Personnel and Veterans Agency: RAF Innsworth

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the reasons are for moving the Service Personnel and Veterans Agency from RAF Innsworth; and if he will make a statement.

Derek Twigg: holding answer 14 January 2008
	 I am currently considering the business case in support of the recent study of the future accommodation requirements of the Service Personnel and Veterans Agency. The decision will be announced in due course, and I shall write to the hon. Member.

Space Technology

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence for what UK assets in space his Department is responsible; and what the purpose is of each.

Bob Ainsworth: I have placed a copy of the current UK Registry of Space Objects in the Library of the House. This document includes details of the owner/operator and general function of all space objects licensed by the UK including those that are, or have been, owned or operated by the Ministry of Defence. The UK Registry of Space Objects is maintained by the British National Space Centre.

Territorial Army: Pensions

Brian Jenkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what consideration he has given to making the remuneration of serving members of the Territorial Army pensionable on the same terms as those serving in the armed forces.

Bob Ainsworth: There are arrangements in place to ensure that reservists who are mobilised for permanent service with the armed forces are not disadvantaged in pension terms. Individuals may have a number of pension options depending on their personal circumstances. Also, reservists who undertake service under sections 24 and 25 of the Reserve Forces Act 1996 (full-time reserve service and additional duties commitments) receive a pension under the Reserve Forces Pension Scheme.
	The terms and conditions of volunteer Territorial Army (TA) reservists serving on man training days, voluntary training or other duties are such that they do not attract entitlement to an armed forces pension. Typically the service is short and intermittent, unlike regular service, and would produce trivial pensions under an occupational pension scheme.
	An employment tribunal held in June 2007 accepted that the MOD had justifiable reasons for excluding reservists serving on man training days, voluntary training or other duties from the armed forces pension schemes. It affirmed that the Department's long-standing approach of paying an annual bounty for volunteer reserve service, in recognition of the different terms and conditions, remains valid.

Terrorism: Ethiopia

Mark Pritchard: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will ensure that the British defence attach in Addis Ababa is given the necessary resources to provide security training advice in support of the Ethiopian Government's action against international terrorism.

Bob Ainsworth: The Ministry of Defence co-ordinates its overseas training programmes with other Departments, and resources are allocated according to overall Government priorities on counter-terrorism. It is not the practice of the Government to make public the details of such assistance to individual countries as this would, or would be likely to, prejudice international relations.

Trident

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to his answer of 21 January 2008,  Official Report, column 1605W, on Trident, how much highly enriched uranium the UK had on the latest date for which data are available.

Des Browne: The most recent published figure for the Department's holdings of highly enriched uranium is 21.86 tonnes held as at March 2002. This figure was published in the Historical Accounting for UK Defence Highly Enriched Uranium report, published in March 2006, which is available via the MOD website:
	http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/AboutDefence/CorporatePublications/HealthandSafetyPublications/Uranium/HistoricalAccountingForUkDefenceHighly EnrichedUranium.htm

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

Mark Pritchard: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what contingency arrangements are in place for the operation by civilian contractors of unmanned aerial vehicles in the event of their unavoidable unavailability.

Bob Ainsworth: The civilian contractors providing support for Hermes 450 Unmanned Air Vehicle operations in theatre maintain a team of five trained individuals for this role, although only one is deployed to theatre at any one time. This provides some contingency should any one individual become unavailable.
	Other work is in hand to develop additional contingency support, including for the unlikely eventuality that all civilian contractor support become unavailable. This includes the planned introduction of an automatic global positioning system take-off and landing system.

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

James Gray: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the watchkeeper unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) will come into service; and when the contracts of the Hermes 450 UAV end.

Bob Ainsworth: The Watchkeeper unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) has an approved in-service date of February 2011, but it is currently expected to enter into service in 2010. The existing contract for the Hermes 450 UAV runs until July 2009 and allows for extensions as necessary to meet operational requirements.

Veterans Day

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans his Department has to mark Veterans day 2008.

Derek Twigg: The date 27 June 2008 marks the third annual Veterans day event. As in the last two years, the MOD has allocated substantial funding to support community Veterans day events across the UK. Further details of the criteria and how to apply for funding are on the Department's veterans' website at www.veterans-uk.info
	All MPs were invited to a Veterans day reception at Portcullis House on 16 January, at which I encouraged all MPs to support Veterans day events in their own constituencies. An important way in which MPs can become involved in Veterans day is through a presentation of the HM armed forces veterans badge. This provides a clear opportunity to celebrate the achievements of veterans by showcasing their individual stories and demonstrating how they personify the qualities we respect in our armed forces.
	I announced on 29 January that Blackpool would host the national Veterans day event in 2008. To date we are aware of around 30 other UK towns and cities which will be hosting large Veterans day events on or around 27 June, with many other smaller events around the country. I will be in a better position to advise on the overall level of funding support that we will provide after the closing date for funding applications, which is 31 May. Advice is being promulgated to the armed forces to encourage senior staff and units to support Veterans day events where operational commitments allow it. We are also working closely with ex-service organisations to facilitate their involvement. Consideration is being given to a number of other ways of promoting Veterans day 2008, but I cannot give details at this time.
	I will make a statement to the House in due course.

Warships: Devonport

Gary Streeter: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects final decisions on the base-porting of ships at Devonport Naval Base to be made.

Bob Ainsworth: A number of maritime change programmes are currently in progress that will impact on all three HM naval bases. These include work resulting from the Naval Base Review decision to retain and optimise all three naval bases, changes to equipment and platform support arrangements, and our evolving strategic partnership with industry. Each is designed to ensure that waterfront activity is delivered in an efficient and sustainable manner.
	No decisions on changes to base-porting of ships at Devonport, or the other two naval bases, will be taken until these programmes are sufficiently mature and the full impact is known.

Written Questions: Government Responses

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he will answer question 170212 tabled by the hon. Member for Portsmouth, South on 29 November 2007.

Derek Twigg: I replied to the hon. Member today.

OLYMPICS

Members: Correspondence

Alex Salmond: To ask the Minister for the Olympics when she plans to reply to the letter dated 19 September 2007 from the right hon. Member for Banff and Buchan about his constituent W. J. Wood of Longside.

Tessa Jowell: The letter from the right hon. Member for Banff and Buchan has been forwarded to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, which is the Department with responsibility for this matter.
	A response to the right hon. Member from the Minister for Sport was sent on 7 February 2008.

Olympic Games 2012: Construction

Brian Jenkins: To ask the Minister for the Olympics how many  (a) fatalities and  (b) serious injuries incurred in the construction of the Olympic precinct for the 2012 Olympic Games have been recorded to date.

Tessa Jowell: Since work started at the Olympic Park site in the autumn of 2005, there have been no fatalities on site. The Olympic Delivery Authority has also just marked its second period of 1,000,000 worker hours without a reportable incident.
	Since 2005, there have been 11 personnel accidents reportable to the HSE under the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995 (RIDDOR). One of these incidents is classified as major, but the individual who sustained a major injury, as classified under RIDDOR, has now returned to work.
	The ODA's current accident frequency rate (reportable accidents measured against working hours) is 0.17, compared with an estimated average construction industry AFR (accident frequency rate) of 1.2.

Olympic Games 2012: Disabled

Mark Harper: To ask the Minister for the Olympics pursuant to the answer of 4 February 2008,  Official Report, column 746W, on Olympic Games 2012: Disabled, what barriers there are to building all Olympic village units to the lifetime homes standard.

Tessa Jowell: In my previous answer of 4 February 2008,  Official Report, column 746W, to the hon. Member for Forest of Dean, I stated that as many of the Village units as is practicable would be built to Lifetime Homes Standards. This commitment is reflected in the Section 106 agreement (clause 13.10.1) to, the Planning Permission for the Village site.
	Lifetime Homes incorporate 16 design features that apply to both the interior and exterior of a home, ranging from socket positions to the structural capacity to install hoists. There are challenges in meeting all these features in the nearly 4,000 residential dwellings that will form the Olympic Village legacy. For example, the Lifetime Homes requirement for parking, proximity to the home and space width, may not be achievable for all residential dwellings in the Village given the nature of the build as multi-level blocks in an urban environment.
	Despite these constraints, the ODA's vision for the accessibility of the Village is ambitious. It is working to ensure that the Village project not only meets all legal requirements on accessibility, but places the needs of future residents at its core. The Access and Inclusion Forum and Access Panels (Transport and Built Environment) play a key role in the ODA's consultation and assurance process. Each stage of the build is subject to rigorous review, and the principal access officer works alongside the Village project team to advise on specific inclusive design features.

Olympic Games 2012: Facilities

Philip Hollobone: To ask the Minister for the Olympics what involvement the London Fire Brigade has in the design and construction of Olympic facilities.

Tessa Jowell: holding answer 5 February 2008
	The London Fire Brigade is fully engaged with the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games and the Olympic Delivery Authority in planning for the Olympics. A fire engineer seconded to the ODA from the brigade has been in post since September 2006. He provides on-site fire safety and risk assessment advice and ensures that the design and construction of facilities meets regulatory requirements.
	The London Fire Brigade also works on Olympic planning with relevant Government Departments, with the Metropolitan police and with other partners, and is a key part of the Olympic Security Directorate which co-ordinates security issues for the games.

Olympic Games 2012: Fairtrade Initiative

Don Foster: To ask the Minister for the Olympics what discussions she has had with  (a) Cabinet members,  (b) representatives of other Government departments,  (c) the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games 2012 and  (d) the Olympic Development Agency on (i) ethical and fair trade issues and (ii) the use of child labour in the manufacturing of merchandise for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games; and on which dates such discussions took place.

Tessa Jowell: The London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) and the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) are committed to promoting ethical principles consistent with the Olympic Charter.
	Following correspondence with Ministers from the Department for International Development, a meeting of officials from the Government Olympic Executive and DFID will discuss how to encourage fair and ethical practices as an integral part of delivering the Olympic programme. The letter of invitation was copied to Cabinet Office, CLG, DEFRA, FCO and HMT.
	As a result, on 23 October, officials from the Government Olympic Executive met officials from the Cabinet Office, DFID, the Foreign Office, the ODA and LOCOG to discuss ODA and LOCOG commitment to the ethical and fair trade agenda.
	The ODA seeks to work with suppliers who have a good track record in human rights and use goods and materials produced ethically. This includes seeking suppliers who do not have discriminatory practices and who do not use child or bonded labour. Officials from DFID are also discussing with ODA officials whether it can play a role in the Construction Sector Transparency Initiative's (CoST) development and implementation, which aims to increase transparency and accountability in construction procurement.
	On 27 November 2007, I helped to launch the London 2012 Sustainability Plan, 'Towards a One Planet Olympics'. This sets out that LOCOG suppliers, sponsors and licensees are required to comply with the Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI) Base Code, which addresses child labour as well as broader labour conditions, trade union membership, and non-discrimination issues and will be applied to all appropriate contracts.

Olympic Games 2012: Visits Abroad

John Hayes: To ask the Minister for the Olympics how many working days have been spent to date by people employed in connection with hosting the London 2012 Olympics on study visits to  (a) former Olympic venues and  (b) China.

Tessa Jowell: The experience of past Olympic host cities and that of the organisers of the forthcoming Games in Beijing is invaluable in informing our preparations for the London 2012 Games.
	Since London won the bid on 6 July 2005, in my role as Minister for the Olympics at the DCMS and now at Cabinet Office, my right hon. Friend the Member for Sheffield, Central (Mr. Caborn), officials and I have been on six Olympic study visits to Beijing, Turin and Barcelona. Relevant staff accompanied Ministers on these visits, and records indicate that officials (including press officers and a special adviser) have spent a total of around 57 working days in these cities.
	According to ODA records, it is estimated that around 40 working days to date have been spent on study visits by employees, focusing in particular on transport, security and legacy.
	In addition LOCOG, the London Organising Committee for the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games, which is a private company, also regularly undertakes visits to former host cities. These are not publicly funded.

Olympic Games 2012: Warrington

Helen Southworth: To ask the Minister for the Olympics what steps she is taking to ensure that the benefits of the London Olympics are shared by the people of  (a) Warrington and  (b) the north-west.

Tessa Jowell: The Government and the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games are working hard to ensure that the benefits of 2012 reach across the UK, and have established a nation and regions group to oversee this work chaired by Charles Allen.
	The north-west steering group is represented on the nations and regions group, and leads the work of the region in delivering benefits in sport, culture, volunteering, business and tourism. The steering group includes representation from organisations such as the Northwest regional development agency, Sport England and Culture Northwest, alongside representatives from the five sub-regions. Cheshire and Warrington has established its own 2012 steering group, which mirrors the regional structure and reports directly to the north-west group. Warrington borough council is represented on this group.
	On 16 January 2008, the Olympic Family launched the London 2012 business network in Manchester, helping businesses across the country to access and compete for 2012-related contracts. The challenge is now for businesses to sign up and get support. To date, 17 contracts have been won by businesses registered in the north-west.

DUCHY OF LANCASTER

Admiralty House

Eric Pickles: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster on what dates the  (a) right hon. Member for Ashfield and  (b) right hon. Member for Kingston upon Hull, East vacated official Ministerial residences in Admiralty House.

Tom Watson: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Member for North-West Durham (Hilary Armstrong) to the hon. Member for North-East Hertfordshire (Mr. Heald) on 6 November 2006,  Official Report, column 860W.
	My right hon. Friend the Member for Kingston upon Hull, East (Mr. Prescott) vacated the official residence in Admiralty House on 31 July 2007.

Capita

David Amess: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how much was paid by his Department to Capita Group plc and its subsidiaries in each financial year since 2000; which contracts were awarded by his Department to Capita Group plc in each year since 2000-01 to the most recent available date; what the cost was of each contract; what penalties for default were imposed in contract provisions; what the length was of each contract; whether the contract was advertised; how many companies applied for the contract; how many were short-listed; what criteria were used for choosing a company; what provision was made for renewal without re-tender in each case; and if he will make a statement.

Tom Watson: This information requested for the Cabinet Office is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Committee on Business Appointments

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster 
	(1)  what definition of lobbying is used by the Advisory Committee on Business Appointments; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  on how many occasions the Advisory Committee on Business Appointments has interviewed an ex-Minister on the nature of an appointment that he or she proposes to take up while still serving as an hon. Member in the last five years; and if he will make a statement;
	(3)  whether the Advisory Committee on Business Appointments requires former Ministers who are still hon. Members to submit a detailed description of their responsibilities and duties in proposed outside employment before considering whether to impose any conditions on them before they take up such employment.

Edward Miliband: These are matters for the Advisory Committee on Business Appointments. I have asked the Chairman of the Committee, the right hon. Lord Mayhew of Twysden, to write to the hon. Member. A copy of his letter will be placed in the Library of the House for the reference of Members.

Correspondence: Government Departments

John Horam: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether the  (a) service first guidance and  (b) other guidance to Government Departments about answering correspondence from the public is in force; and if he will make a statement.

Tom Watson: The Cabinet Office guidance for Departments, Handling Correspondence from Members of Parliament, Members of the House of Lords, MEPs and Members of Devolved Assemblies, contains guidance to Departments on how to handle correspondence from members of the public. A copy of the guidance is in the Library of the House.

Departmental Consultants

Sarah Teather: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what consultancy contracts his Department issued in each year since 2005; what the (a) value,  (b) purpose and  (c) contractor was in each case; and whether the consultant's report is publicly available in each case.

Tom Watson: The information requested for the Cabinet Office is not held centrally and is therefore available only at disproportionate cost.

Departmental Travel

Jeremy Browne: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster 
	(1)  how much his Department spent on travel  (a) within and  (b) outside the UK for officials in each of the last 10 years; and what percentage of his Department's overall expenditure was spent on such travel in each such year;
	(2)  how much was spent on travel  (a) within and  (b) outside the UK for officials in the Prime Minister's Office in each of the last 10 years; and what percentage of the Prime Minister's Office's overall expenditure was spent on such travel in each such year;
	(3)  how many overseas visits by officials in the Office of the Prime Minister took place in each of the last 10 years; which countries were visited; and how much was spent on such visits in each such year;
	(4)  how many overseas visits by officials in his Department took place in each of the last 10 years; which countries were visited; and how much was spent on such visits in each such year.

Tom Watson: The Prime Minister's Office is an integral part of the Cabinet Office.
	The information requested is not held centrally, and is therefore available only at disproportionate cost.
	All official travel is undertaken in accordance with published departmental guidance on financial procedures and propriety, based on principles set out in Government Accounting and the Treasury handbook Regularity and Propriety.
	The Government publishes on an annual basis information about overseas travel by Cabinet Ministers. This includes details about the number of officials accompanying the Minister when non-scheduled travel is used for the trip. Copies of the annual publications are available in the Library of the House.

EU Reform: Treaties

Tom Levitt: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what recent discussions he has had with his counterparts in the European Union on the provisions of the Treaty of Lisbon on  (a) European civil society and  (b) the European compact.

Jim Murphy: I have been asked to reply.
	Foreign and Commonwealth Office Ministers regularly meet their EU counterparts, as well as a broad range of external stakeholders, to discuss a range of issues including the treaty of Lisbon. For example, in January 2008, and I met the National Council for Voluntary Organisations the issue of the proposed EU Compact was raised. The issue was also raised at a meeting on 4 February between FCO Ministers and a range of stakeholders.

Life Chances

Mark Harper: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether the Ministerial Committee on Life Chances differentiates between UK citizens and foreign nationals when considering policies which maximise the life chances of all in the UK.

Tom Watson: holding answer 30 January 2008
	The terms of reference of the Life Chances Cabinet Committee are to consider policies which maximise the life chances of all in the United Kingdom. The Government's policies on migration are designed to ensure the right balance between the rights and responsibilities of foreign nationals living in the UK.

Ministerial Policy Advisers

Charles Walker: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many special advisers have  (a) received approval from and  (b) been refused by the Advisory Committee on Business Appointments to take up an outside appointment on leaving office since May 2005.

Edward Miliband: The Model Contract and Code of Conduct for Special Advisers set out the rules and procedures regarding the acceptance of outside appointments.
	The Advisory Committee on Business Appointments publishes information on its website and in its annual report about its recommendations on applications that have been referred to it under the rules from Crown servants, including special advisers, once an appointment has been taken up or announced.

Official Residences

Eric Pickles: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster on what date the Government house in Pimlico was advertised for sale.

Liam Byrne: I have been asked to reply.
	Agents are being appointed this month following a tender to advise on disposal.

SOLICITOR-GENERAL

Crown Prosecution Service

Dominic Grieve: To ask the Solicitor-General how many and what proportion of cases in each Crown Prosecution Service area were discontinued  (a) in the interests of justice and  (b) by reason of evidential insufficiency in the most recent period for which figures are available.

Vera Baird: Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) records show that, during the year ending December 2007, proceedings in respect of 25,743 defendants were discontinued or withdrawn at court because pursuing the cases was deemed not to be in the public interest. That figure represents 2.4 per cent. of defendant cases referred for prosecution during that period.
	During the same period, proceedings against 53,541 defendants were discontinued or withdrawn at court because the evidential test contained in the Code for Crown Prosecutors was not satisfied. That figure represents 5 per cent. of defendant cases referred for prosecution.
	All cases are reviewed in accordance with the Code, and a prosecution can only proceed if the two tests set out in the Code are met. First, a Crown prosecutor must be satisfied that there is enough evidence to provide a realistic prospect of conviction. This is an objective test which means that a jury or bench of magistrates or judge hearing a case alone, properly directed in accordance with the law, is more likely than not to convict the defendant of the charge alleged.
	If the case passes the evidential test, the Crown prosecutor then has to consider whether a prosecution is required in the public interest. A prosecution will usually take place unless there are public interest factors tending against prosecution that clearly outweigh those tending in favour.
	The review of a case is a continuing process, and Crown prosecutors must take account of any change in circumstances. This may mean that a case is either discontinued or withdrawn at court if there is no longer a realistic prospect of conviction or if it is not in the public interest to continue.
	The tables at annex A outline the volume and proportion of cases discontinued or withdrawn at court in comparison to other outcomes, and provide data in respect of each CPS area for the years ending December 2007 and December 2006. Table 1 shows the volume and proportion of cases recorded as having been dropped as against all outcomes. CPS records disaggregate prosecutions dropped into four broad categories: evidential; public interest; unable to proceed; and other reasons. Table 2 compares total prosecution dropped outcomes with total unsuccessful outcomes, convictions and all outcomes.
	The tables at annex B show the reasons for dropped prosecutions in each of the four broad categories.
	All tables have been placed in the Library.

Crown Prosecution Service: Finance

Harry Cohen: To ask the Solicitor-General what representations she has received on the level of funding for the Crown Prosecution Service covering north-east London.

Vera Baird: I have not received any representations on the level of funding for the Crown Prosecution Service covering north-east London.

Fraud: VAT

Mark Hoban: To ask the Solicitor-General how many missing trader intra-community fraud cases have been investigated by HM Revenue and Customs Prosecutions Office since its creation; and how many it is currently investigating.

Vera Baird: The Revenue and Customs Prosecutions Office (RCPO) was established as an independent prosecuting authority in April 2005, and is superintended by the Attorney General. It prosecutes cases referred to it by Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs and the Serious Organised Crime Agency. It does not conduct investigations.

Fraud: VAT

Mark Hoban: To ask the Solicitor-General how many individuals have been  (a) prosecuted and  (b) convicted on charges relating to missing trader intra-community fraud brought by HM Revenue and Customs Prosecutions Office since its creation.

Vera Baird: The Revenue and Customs Prosecutions Office (RCPO) was established as an independent prosecuting authority in April 2005, and is superintended by the Attorney-General. It prosecutes cases referred to it by Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs and the Serious Organised Crime Agency. It does not conduct investigations.
	As at the end of December 2007,
	 (a) 417 defendants had been prosecuted for offences relating to missing trader intra-community fraud, this figure including 55 defendants who are currently the subject of live proceedings; and
	 (b) 178 defendants had been convicted of offences relating to missing trader intra-community fraud.

Offensive Weapons

Mark Hoban: To ask the Solicitor-General if she will issue guidance to the Crown Prosecution Service to ensure that each person arrested in possession of a knife in public in a crime hot spot is prosecuted.

Vera Baird: The Crown Prosecution Service is revising its guidance on the prosecution of those arrested in possession of a knife or an offensive weapon. The revised guidance will be issued shortly.

Revenue and Customs Prosecutions Office

Mark Hoban: To ask the Solicitor-General what meetings she has had with the director of the HM Revenue and Customs Prosecutions Office in each of the last 12 months.

Vera Baird: I was appointed Solicitor-General on 28 June 2007. Since my appointment I have met the Director on four occasions:
	29 June 2007An Introduction for new Ministers
	11 July and 18 October 2007Routine business meetings
	5 December 2007One to one meeting.

Revenue and Customs Prosecutions Office: Consultants

Mark Hoban: To ask the Solicitor-General whether Michaela Partridge was employed as a consultant to HM Revenue and Customs Prosecutions Office in  (a) 2006-07 and  (b) 2007-08.

Vera Baird: The information is as follows:
	 ( a) Michaela Partridge was employed as a consultant by Revenue and Customs Prosecutions Office (RCPO) in financial year 2006-07, and was paid 65,271. Her contract expired in November 2006.
	 (b) Michaela Partridge has not been employed as a consultant in financial year 2007-08.

Revenue and Customs Prosecutions Office: Fees and Charges

Mark Hoban: To ask the Solicitor-General what the reasons are for the fee structure introduced by HM Revenue and Customs Prosecutions Office in September 2006; and if she will make a statement.

Vera Baird: The Revenue and Customs Prosecutions Office (RCPO) was established as an independent prosecuting authority in April 2005, and is superintended by the Attorney-General. It prosecutes cases referred to it by Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs and the Serious Organised Crime Agency.
	The RCPO introduced new arrangements for counsel fees in September 2006 to standardise rates paid to counsel in all its cases, to encourage prompt billing and to bring certainty and clarity to the amounts owing to counsel at any point in time. The system is based on published fixed fee rates and is more transparent than the previous system, which involved a negotiation between both parties after the fee notes had been sent by counsel to the Department.
	The new arrangements were commended by the Comptroller and Auditor General in his report on RCPO's 2006-07 accounts. He noted that
	The new processes for agreeing counsel fee expenditure and estimating all related accrued liabilities has significantly enhanced the Department's ability to manage this key element of its expenditure.
	The RCPO continues to apply the new arrangements and has witnessed a further improvement of control over counsel fees in 2007-08. The great majority of fee notes are now submitted within one month of the date on which the work was performed, and the number of fees relating to cases that pre-date the introduction of the new arrangements has diminished significantly.

Revenue and Customs Prosecutions Office: Fees and Charges

Mark Hoban: To ask the Solicitor-General how much was paid in fees to legal counsel by HM Revenue and Customs Prosecutions Office in 2006-07; and what proportion of the Office's expenditure for that year this represented.

Vera Baird: The Revenue and Customs Prosecutions Office (RCPO) was established as an independent prosecuting authority in April 2005, and is superintended by the Attorney-General. It prosecutes cases referred to it by Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs and the Serious Organised Crime Agency. It does not conduct investigations.
	In 2006-07, RCPO paid 14,954,084 in fees to barristers. This represented 41 per cent. of the Office's gross expenditure.

Revenue and Customs Prosecutions Office: Finance

Mark Hoban: To ask the Solicitor-General what the budget of the HM Revenue and Customs Prosecutions Office  (a) has been in each year since its creation and  (b) will be in each year of the spending review period.

Vera Baird: The Revenue and Customs Prosecutions Office (RCPO) was established as an independent prosecuting authority in April 2005, and is superintended by the Attorney-General. It is a separate Government Department from HM Revenue and Customs.
	The budget of RCPO (in 000) in each financial year  (a) since its creation has been as follows.
	
		
			   Budget of RCPO (000) 
			 2005-06 37,885 
			 2006-07 36,366 
			 2007-08 36,726 
		
	
	and  (b) in each financial year of the spending review period
	
		
			   Budget of RCPO (000) 
			 2008-09 36,397 
			 2009-10 36,072 
			 2010-11 35,749

Revenue and Customs Prosecutions Office: Operating Costs

Mark Hoban: To ask the Solicitor-General what the net operating cost of HM Revenue and Customs Prosecutions Office was in 2006-07.

Vera Baird: The net operating cost of the Revenue and Customs Prosecutions Office (RCPO) in 2006-07 was 32,006,772.

Revenue and Customs Prosecutions Office: Publications

Mark Hoban: To ask the Solicitor-General whether HM Revenue and Customs Prosecutions Office produces an internal staff magazine.

Vera Baird: Revenue and Customs Prosecutions Office has produced a bi-monthly internal staff magazine since March 2007.

Revenue and Customs: Finance

Mark Hoban: To ask the Solicitor-General whether the rates for legal fees paid for HM Revenue and Customs prosecutions have changed since HM Revenue and Customs Prosecutions Office was established.

Vera Baird: The Revenue and Customs Prosecutions Office (RCPO) was established as an independent prosecuting authority in April 2005, and is superintended by the Attorney-General. It prosecutes cases referred to it by Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs and the Serious Organised Crime Agency.
	RCPO introduced new arrangements for counsel fees in September 2006. Key features of the new arrangements were the introduction of standard rates that eliminated the need for negotiation between the RCPO and chambers, raised transparency and increased the accuracy of the RCPO's accounts.
	The standard rates introduced reflected those prevailing at the time, with some small adjustments to ensure consistency. Following their introduction, the rates were reviewed in the final quarter of 2007 and some further small adjustments were made.

Smuggling: Animal Products

James Paice: To ask the Solicitor-General how many successful prosecutions were made by HM Revenue and Customs for illegal importation of products of animal origin into the UK in each year since 2001.

Vera Baird: The Revenue and Customs Prosecutions Office (RCPO) was established as an independent prosecuting authority in April 2005, and is superintended by the Attorney-General. It prosecutes cases referred to it by Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC) and the Serious Organised Crime Agency. It does not conduct investigations.
	HMRC has been responsible for investigating breaches of the products of animal origin regulations since April 2003.
	Since April 2003, there have been 11 successful prosecutions.
	Central records of prosecutions undertaken by enforcement agencies prior to April 2003 are not maintained.

PRIME MINISTER

10 Downing Street: Manpower

Norman Baker: To ask the Prime Minister on what date Stephen Carter stopped undertaking work for Brunswick.

Gordon Brown: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave the hon. Member for Northampton, South (Mr. Binley) on 24 January 2008,  Official Report, column 2179W.

British Airports Authority

John McDonnell: To ask the Prime Minister 
	(1)  what meetings he has attended with the BAA in his capacity as Prime Minister;
	(2)  what meetings  (a) he and  (b) his officials have attended with representatives of the BAA at which (i) the expansion of Heathrow airport and (ii) the Crossrail project were discussed;
	(3)  what meetings he has attended with representatives of the aviation industry in his capacity as Prime Minister.

Gordon Brown: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Putney (Justine Greening) on Thursday 31 January 2008,  Official Report, column 563W.

Chequers

Eric Pickles: To ask the Prime Minister 
	(1)  what the value is of the payments that have been made to Chequers from the public purse in each year since 1997-98;
	(2)  if he will place in the Library a copy of the Chequers Trust Deed.

Gordon Brown: On the Chequers grant, I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my predecessor, Mr. Blair, on 11 October 2004,  Official Report, column 54W and 13 February 2003,  Official Report, column 948W. In addition, I refer the hon. Member to the Freedom of Information release on Chequers, available on the Cabinet Office publication scheme:
	http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/foi/reading_room/topic/chequers.aspx
	Figures for addition financial years are set out in the following table:
	
		
			   Grant () 
			 2004-05 980,000 
			 2005-06 900,000 
			 2006-07 950,000 
		
	
	The Chequers Trust Deed is scheduled to the Chequers Estate Act 1917, and was amended and scheduled to the Chequers Estate Act 1958. Copies are available in the Library of the House.

China: Human Rights

Don Foster: To ask the Prime Minister 
	(1)  what steps he took on his visit to China in January 2008 to encourage the Chinese authorities to facilitate freedom of movement and expression in China for both domestic and international press in the run-up to the Beijing Olympic Games in 2008 and afterwards;
	(2)  how many meetings he had with Chinese officials at which media freedom was discussed during his visit to China in January 2008.

Gordon Brown: I refer the hon. Member to the answer that I gave the hon. Members for Orkney and Shetland (Mr. Carmichael) and for Southend, West (Mr. Amess) on 25 January 2008,  Official Report, column 2280W.

Christmas Cards

Simon Burns: To ask the Prime Minister how much his Office spent on  (a) Christmas cards and  (b) postage of Christmas cards in 2007.

Gordon Brown: Approximately 1,500 cards were purchased for official use at a cost of 1,379. All expenditure incurred in the purchase and posting of these cards is in accordance with the departmental guidance on financial procedures and propriety, based on the principles set out in Government Accounting.

Commissioner of Police for the Metropolis

David Davis: To ask the Prime Minister on how many occasions he has met  (a) the Commissioner of Police for the Metropolis and  (b) the Metropolitan Policy Deputy Commissioner since June 2007; and what matters were discussed at each meeting.

Gordon Brown: My officials and I have meetings with a wide range of organisations and individuals on a range of subjects.

Departmental Reorganisation

Bob Spink: To ask the Prime Minister how much the rebranding of Government Departments cost the public purse following his taking of office.

Gordon Brown: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave the hon. Members for South Holland and The Deepings (Mr. Hayes) and for Guildford (Anne Milton) on 10 July 2007,  Official Report, column 1465-6W.

Energy Policy

Dai Davies: To ask the Prime Minister what matters in respect of energy policy were  (a) discussed and  (b) decided at the meeting of his business council on 4 February.

Gordon Brown: I refer the hon. Member to the press briefing given by my spokesman on 4 February 2008. A transcript of this is available on the No. 10 website (http://www.number-10.gov.uk/output/Page14483 .asp). and a copy has been placed in the Library of the House.

Joint Intelligence Committee: Public Appointments

Lynne Jones: To ask the Prime Minister what the process is for the appointment of the chair of the Joint Intelligence Committee; and whether applications are invited or solicited.

David Davis: To ask the Prime Minister with reference to his statement of 25 July 2007,  Official Report, column 841, on national security, what progress has been made on the separation of the position of Chairman of the Joint Intelligence Committee from that of policy adviser to the Government.

Gordon Brown: The positions of Chairman of the Joint Intelligence Committee and policy adviser to the Government have been separated, as I announced on 25 July.
	I approved the appointment of Alex Allan as Joint Intelligence Committee Chairman and Head of Intelligence Analysis on the recommendation of the Cabinet Secretary and with the agreement of the First Civil Service Commissioner. As Mr. Allan was a serving Permanent Secretary, this was a managed move.
	Robert Hannigan was appointed to the policy adviser and co-ordinator role and is Head of Intelligence, Security and Resilience in the Cabinet Office. His responsibilities include strategy and resourcing of the Security and Intelligence Agencies; security policy, including information assurance; counter-terrorism, resilience, and the effectiveness of continuity of Government; and crisis arrangements.

Members: Correspondence

Peter Luff: To ask the Prime Minister when he expects to reply to the letter from the hon. Member for Mid-Worcestershire of 15 December 2007 on police pay.

Gordon Brown: I replied to the hon. Member on 11 February.

Members: Surveillance

Ben Wallace: To ask the Prime Minister with reference to the answer of 12 September 2007,  Official Report, column 2103W, on Members: Surveillance, whether the word interception is used in the answer with the same definition as contained in section 2 (i) of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000.

Gordon Brown: I have nothing further to add to the answer I gave the hon. Member on 12 September 2007,  Official Report, column 2103W.

Ministerial Responsibility

Nicholas Soames: To ask the Prime Minister what ministerial responsibilities he has assigned to Baroness Vadera at the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform; and what responsibilities she has been assigned for liaison with other Departments.

Gordon Brown: I refer the hon. Member to the List of Ministerial Responsibilities, copies of which are available on the Cabinet Office website.

Sudan: Peacekeeping Operations

David Cameron: To ask the Prime Minister 
	(1)  what sanctions he plans to impose on the Government of Sudan in light of the failure to deploy the UNAMID force in full and on time; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  whether he plans to encourage the imposition of a no-fly zone over Darfur in 2008;
	(3)  what steps he is taking to encourage the development of a UN arms embargo on Sudan; and if he will make a statement.

Gordon Brown: I welcome UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's 5 February agreement with President Bashir to accelerate the deployment of UNAMID. UNAMID is already behind schedule and the sooner the United Nations and the African Union secure prompt and effective deployment, the sooner the situation on the ground can stabilise. President Bashir must honour these commitments.
	In considering additional measures, beyond UNAMID, we would need to assess the logistical challenges of implementation and their impact on humanitarian efforts. We have not ruled anything out including the imposition of no-fly zones. UNAMID is mandated to monitor military activity, including flights prohibited by UN Security Council resolution 1591.
	The prospect of further United Nations sanctions, as advocated by the United Kingdom and the United States, combined with persistent persuasion by the UN Secretary-General among others, helped bring the Government of Sudan to agree to UNAMID in 2007. So I will continue to be clear that we will pursue further targeted sanctions against any party that undermines resolution of the crisis in Darfur, including by impeding UNAMID deployment. This was a key element of my discussion with Premier Wen when I visited China in January, and I will continue to make the case with other members of the Security Council that sanctions must be one of a range of measures to bring resolution of the crisis in Darfur.
	I continue to believe that the UN arms embargo on Darfur should be extended to the whole of Sudan. The United Kingdom delegation to the United Nations, most recently in the UN Sanctions Committee meeting of 6 November 2007, is pursuing this initiative. We have the support of our United States and European allies, but we do not have the consent of all members of the Security Council. That is why we continue to make the case, especially to permanent members of the Security Council, that extending the arms embargo should be part of a range of measures to bring resolution of the crisis in Darfur.

NORTHERN IRELAND

Community Relations

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what recent progress has been made on reconciliation in Northern Ireland.

Shaun Woodward: A Consultative Group on the Past, chaired by Lord Eames and Denis Bradley, was set up by the then Secretary of State, the right hon. Member for Neath (Mr. Hain), in June 2007 to seek consensus across the community in Northern Ireland on the best way to deal with the legacy of the past 40 years, and to make recommendations, as appropriate, on any steps that might be taken by Northern Ireland society in building a shared future that is not overshadowed by the events of the past.
	The group completed its public consultation on 25 January 2008, and is currently reflecting on the responses received. I look forward to receiving its report this summer.

Consultative Group on the Past

Jeffrey M Donaldson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many written responses have been received by the independent Consultative Group on the past in Northern Ireland.

Shaun Woodward: I am informed that in response to its public consultation, which ended on 25 January 2008, the Consultative Group on the Past received 245 written submissions. In addition to these, the group received 2,061 similarly worded letters which it believes to have been part of a co-ordinated campaign.

Crime: Victims

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps he is taking to ensure that the families of victims of serious crimes are informed that those convicted of these crimes are being transferred between prisons in Northern Ireland and others  (a) within the UK and  (b) in the Republic of Ireland; and if he will make a statement.

Paul Goggins: I have instructed that the prisoner release victim information scheme includes an undertaking that the Northern Ireland Prison Service will inform registered victims if the perpetrator of the crime is transferred to a prison in another jurisdiction. This arrangement will also provide victims with a contact in that jurisdiction for further information.

Crimes of Violence: Offensive Weapons

Eddie McGrady: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment he has made of the merits of bringing forward proposals to create specific offences of  (a) carrying and using a knife in a violent attack and  (b) carrying a knife in a violent attack in Northern Ireland.

Paul Goggins: These situations would be covered by existing legislation on possession of a bladed or offensive weapon. However, my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister has recently emphasised the seriousness with which the Government regard knife crime. I shall shortly lay before Parliament proposals to increase the penalties for the carrying, manufacturing and selling of knives in Northern Ireland to a maximum of four years in prison. I have also increased the age at which knives can be purchased from 16 to 18.

Departmental Databases

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what databases are  (a) owned and  (b) maintained by his Department.

Shaun Woodward: The Department has approximately 300 databases ranging in size from the most sophisticated (SAP and Oracle) to the simplest (MS Access). The Department is currently in the process of rationalising these databases and it is therefore likely that many will be retired within the next 12 to 18 months. It is not possible to distinguish between those owned and maintained by the Department without incurring disproportionate cost.

Departmental ICT

Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many  (a) mobile telephones,  (b) personal digital assistants and  (c) laptop computers issued to departmental staff were reported (i) lost, (ii) missing and (iii) stolen in each year since 2001.

Shaun Woodward: The information is shown in the following tables.
	
		
			  Mobile telephones 
			  Year to 31 December  Lost  Missing  Stolen 
			 2001 7 0 1 
			 2002 2 0 0 
			 2003 2 0 0 
			 2004 0 0 3 
			 2005 2 0 1 
			 2006 2 0 0 
			 2007 5 0 1 
			 2008 to date 0 0 0 
		
	
	
		
			  Personal digital assistants 
			  Year to 31 December  Lost  Missing  Stolen 
			 2001 0 0 0 
			 2002 0 0 1 
			 2003 0 0 0 
			 2004 0 0 0 
			 2005 0 0 1 
			 2006 0 0 0 
			 2007 0 0 0 
			 2008 to date 0 0 0 
		
	
	
		
			  Laptops 
			  Year to 31 December  Lost  Missing  Stolen 
			 2001 0 0 1 
			 2002 0 0 0 
			 2003 0 0 0 
			 2004 0 0 1 
			 2005 0 0 0 
			 2006 0 0 1 
			 2007 0 0 2 
			 2008 to date 0 0 0

Departmental Internet

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many Wikipedia entries have been  (a) created and  (b) amended (i) by (A) special advisers, (B) Ministers and (C) communications officials and (ii) from IP addresses of (1) special advisers, (2) Ministers and (3) communications officials in (x) his Department and (y) its agencies since August 2005.

Shaun Woodward: The Northern Ireland Office does not maintain records of this type and is not aware of any entries submitted by Ministers, special advisers or officials.

Departmental Ministerial Policy Advisers

Charles Walker: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the special advisers employed in his Department since 6 May 1997; and what the  (a) start and  (b) end date of employment was in each case.

Shaun Woodward: Since 2003, the Government have published on an annual basis the names and numbers of special advisers in each pay band. For the most recent information I refer the hon. Member to the statement made by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 22 November 2007,  Official Report, columns 147-150WS. Since publication of that statement, Oonagh Blackman has also been appointed as a special adviser in the Northern Ireland Office.
	Information on the employment of special advisers prior to 2003 was provided at regular intervals and is available in the Library of the House.

Departmental Vehicles

Jeremy Browne: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many vehicles were  (a) owned and  (b) purchased by his Department in each of the last 10 years.

Shaun Woodward: The available details of vehicles owned and purchased by the Northern Ireland Office are set out in the following table. The numbers are made up of cars, delivery vans and tractors.
	
		
			   Owned  Purchased 
			 2002-03 7 0 
			 2003-04 5 0 
			 2004-05 5 0 
			 2005-06 5 0 
			 2006-07 2 0 
			 2007-08 2 0 
		
	
	Information for 1998-99, 1999-2000, 2000-01 and 2001-02 is not available.

Economic Performance

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what recent assessment he has made of the economic performance of Northern Ireland.

Shaun Woodward: The Government published their assessment of the UK economy in the pre-Budget report, which will be updated in the Budget. The Government have not published a separate assessment of the Northern Ireland economy, as this is a devolved matter for the Northern Ireland Executive.
	Sir David Varney's review of tax policy in Northern Ireland published in December 2007 found that Northern Ireland's recent economic performance has been good and that it has the lowest unemployment rate of any region in the UK. He found, however, that this promising growth masks some significant structural concerns, which he will address in his second review of competitiveness in Northern Ireland, announced in December 2007.

Fair Trade Initiative

Michael Moore: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what his Department's policy is on the use of fair trade goods  (a) in staff catering facilities and  (b) at official departmental functions and meetings; and if he will make a statement.

Shaun Woodward: The Government are committed to improving market access to producers in developing countries through increased participation in fair and sustainable supply chains. Each Department is responsible for making its own decisions on such products, against the background of the Government's value for money policy, the EC procurement rules and the Department's objectives.
	My Department does use a range of Fair Trade produce.

Northern Ireland Government: Irish Language

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps the Government is taking to implement the provisions of the  (a) Good Friday and  (b) St Andrews agreement in relation to the Irish language.

Shaun Woodward: The Irish language is primarily a matter for the devolved administration.
	Following the Belfast agreement, the Government signed up to the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages, under which 36 provisions representing measures to promote the use of Irish in public life have been adopted. In addition a statutory duty to encourage and facilitate the development of Irish-medium education was placed on the Northern Ireland Department of Education by the Education (Northern Ireland) Order 1998.
	The Government have also taken steps to increase access to Irish language broadcasting, with TG4 (formerly known as Teilifs na Gaelige) now available in 90 per cent. of households. Plans are in place to ensure that these levels are maintained following digital switchover in 2012. The Government also established an Irish Language Broadcast Fund to provide financial support for Irish language film and television production.
	Following the St Andrews agreement, the Government introduced the Northern Ireland (St Andrews Agreement) Act 2006, section 15 of which puts the Northern Ireland Executive under a duty to adopt a strategy setting out how it proposes to enhance and protect the development of the Irish language. The Government also published two consultation papers on Irish language legislation, the first on 13 December 2006 and the second, containing draft clauses for such legislation, on 13 March 2007. The responsibility for this passed to the devolved Administration following the restoration of the Northern Ireland Assembly on 8 May 2007.

Northern Ireland Prison Service: Crimes of Violence

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many incidents of assault against staff have been reported  (a) at prisons and  (b) at the Woodlands Juvenile Justice Centre in Northern Ireland in each of the last 12 months; of those incidents, how many have resulted in (i) prosecutions and (ii) convictions; and if he will make a statement.

Paul Goggins: The information is as follows:
	 (a) In the majority of cases prisoners who assault prison officers will be charged under prison rules and will be subject to an adjudication before a Governor. Either the matter is concluded at the adjudication or the adjudication is postponed pending referral to the police for investigation with a view to prosecution. This does not preclude a governor from deciding to call in the police in the immediate aftermath of an assault occurring, whether prisoner on prisoner or prisoner on staff.
	
		
			  Month  Number of staff assaulted  Comments 
			 February 2007 1 at Maghaberry Still awaiting prosecution decision 
			
			 March 2007 2 Maghaberry escort officers at court Still awaiting prosecution decision 
			
			 April 2007 1 Maghaberry escort officer at court Involved a male juvenile at court. He was transferred to a Juvenile Justice Centre before charges under Prison and Young Offender Rules could be preferred. 
			
			 May 2007 2 Maghaberry officers Still awaiting prosecution decision 
			
			 June 2007 3 (1 Maghaberry officer, 2 Magilligan officers) Still awaiting prosecution decision in the Maghaberry case. The police have forwarded a file on the 2 Magilligan cases to the PPS to determine if prosecution will follow. Result awaited. 
			
			 July 2007 0  
			
			 August 2007 0  
			
			 September 2007 6 (4 Maghaberry escort officers at court, 2 Magilligan officers) 4 Maghaberry staff were assaulted by a 15-year-old juvenile at Laganside court. Of the 2 Magilligan cases, one prison adjudication charge was withdrawn. Prosecution decision is still awaited in the other case. 
			
			 October 2007 4 (3 Maghaberry escort officers at court, and 1 at the prison) Still awaiting prosecution decision in these cases. 
			
			 November 2007 1 Maghaberry escort officer at court The prisoner who caused the injury was released at court before charges under prison rules could be preferred. 
			
			 December 2007 2 Magilligan officers Still awaiting prosecution decision in these cases. 
			
			 January 2008 2 Maghaberry officers In both cases the adjudication has been adjourned. 
			
			 Total 24  
		
	
	 (b) The information provided by Woodlands Juvenile Justice Centre is set out as follows. In the majority of cases young people who are involved in assaults on staff will be subject to the consequences of the progressive regime (an incentivised behaviour management programme whereby young people can earn additional privileges through good behaviour) and will suffer loss of privileges earned. When the matter is deemed to be an unprovoked assault or when the intervention of staff during physical control in care procedures develops into a serious incident and staff are injured, these are deemed assaults. Those of a serious nature will be reported to the police for investigation with a view to prosecution. The outcome of the police investigations is not known at this time.
	
		
			  Month  Number of staff assaulted  Comments 
			 January 2007 0  
			 February 2007 2 PSNI contacted relating to 1 incident 
			 March 2007 2 PSNI contacted relating to 1 incident 
			 April 2007 3 Minor incidents dealt with through progressive regime 
			 May 2007 5 PSNI contacted relating to 1 incident 
			 June 2007 6 PSNI contacted relating to 1 incident 
			 July 2007 2 Minor incidents dealt with through progressive regime 
			 August 2007 2 PSNI contacted relating to 1 incident 
			 September 2007 1 PSNI contacted 
			 October 2007 4 PSNI contacted relating to 2 incidents 
			 November 2007 0  
			 December 2007 0  
			 Total 27

Police

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many police officers per capita there are in Northern Ireland.

Paul Goggins: There are currently 4.6 full-time police officers per 1,000 population in Northern Ireland.

Police: Finance

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the annual cost per head is of policing in Northern Ireland.

Paul Goggins: The current annual cost of policing in Northern Ireland is approximately 550 per person.

Prisoners' Transfers

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps he is taking to prevent the exploitation by prisoners in Northern Ireland of the system of transfer to other prisons in the rest of the UK; and if he will make a statement.

Paul Goggins: The transfer of prisoners between UK jurisdictions is governed by Schedule 1 to the Crime (Sentences) Act 1997. Each application is assessed on its individual merits, taking into consideration:
	1. the purpose for which the transfer is requested;
	2. whether the prisoner was ordinarily resident in the jurisdiction to which transfer is sought prior to the imposition of the current sentence; or whether members of the prisoner's close family are resident in that jurisdiction and there are reasonable grounds for believing that the prisoner will receive regular visits from them; or whether the prisoner has demonstrated through preparations that he has made for his life following release from prison that he intends to reside in the receiving jurisdictions upon release and he is in the later stages of his sentence;
	3. whether there are grounds for believing that the prisoner may disrupt or attempt to disrupt any prison establishment, or pose an unacceptable risk to security; and
	4. any compelling or compassionate circumstances.
	Prisoners are only transferred from Northern Ireland to serve their sentences in England and Wales if they meet these criteria.
	I have instructed the Director of the Prison Service to refer any request for a transfer to England and Wales by a prisoner serving a sentence in Northern Ireland, to me.
	Prisoners transferred to England and Wales could potentially benefit from the 18-day end of custody licence scheme if they met the criteria for that scheme which includes the provision that the sentence must be less than four years.
	If it is clear that the sole purpose of the transfer application is to gain advantage from the ECL, that application would be refused.

Proscribed Organisations: Arrests

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many suspected members of dissident Republican terrorist organisations have been arrested in Northern Ireland since 1 September 2002; how many of those arrested have been  (a) charged and  (b) convicted of offences; how many of those arrested were released as a result of charges being withdrawn or otherwise abandoned; and what were the reasons in each case.

Paul Goggins: The PSNI does not maintain statistics that attribute incidents to individual paramilitary groupings. However the following table provides information on those arrested and those subsequently charged with terrorist offences. The other information requested would necessitate a manual trawl which would incur a disproportionate cost.
	
		
			  Number of persons arrested under section 41 of the Terrorism Act by attribution( 1) :( ) 1 September 2002 to 31 December 2007 
			   Persons arrested  Persons arrested and subsequently charged 
			   Loyalist  Republican  Other  Total  Loyalist  Republican  Other  Total 
			 1 September 2002 to 31 March 2003 126 58  184 57 22  79 
			 1 April 2003 to 31 March 2004 203 133 3 339 70 30 2 102 
			 1 April 2004 to 31 March 2005 150 81  231 42 35  77 
			 1 April 2005 to 31 March 2006 198 71 4 273 61 11  72 
			 1 April 2006 to 31 March 2007 84 92 1 177 21 35 1 57 
			 1 April 2007 to 31 December 2007 44 62 2 108 20 9  29 
			 (1) Attribution is as perceived by PSN1 based on the information available at the time of arrest and does not necessarily indicate the involvement of a paramilitary organisation.  Note: Statistics are provisional and may be subject to minor amendment.

Thomas Purcell

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland for what length of time Thomas Purcell had been in Maghaberry prison before being transferred to a young offenders centre in England; what age he had been during his time at Maghaberry; and whether he had been attacked while at Maghaberry prison.

Paul Goggins: Thomas Purcell was in Maghaberry prison for six weeks prior to his transfer on 27 February 2007. He was 19 years of age and there are no reported incidents of him being attacked while at Maghaberry.

Thomas Purcell

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland for what reasons Thomas Purcell was transferred from Maghaberry prison in Northern Ireland to the young offenders centre at Aylesbury.

Paul Goggins: Thomas Purcell applied for a transfer to serve the remainder of his sentence in England. The transfer of prisoners between UK jurisdictions is governed by Schedule 1 to the Crime (Sentences) Act 1997, as set out in PQ UIN 186443, also answered today.

Tourism

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many tourists visited Northern Ireland in 2007; and what steps the Government plan to take to increase the number of such tourists.

Shaun Woodward: Following the restoration of devolution on 8 May 2007, Ministers in the Northern Ireland Executive became responsible for the running of the Northern Ireland Departments. Tourism policy and promotion is the responsibility of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment and its partner agencies.
	I am advised that an estimated 2,051,000 tourists visited Northern Ireland in 2007.

Woodlands Juvenile Justice Centre: Crimes of Violence

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what measures are to be introduced to give better protection to staff working at the Woodlands Juvenile Justice Centre following the recent attack on three staff members.

Paul Goggins: Woodlands Juvenile Justice Centre operates a risk management strategy to protect both staff and young people in its care. Individual risk assessments are carried out on all young people in the centre and these are constantly reviewed and updated as required.
	All operational staff must make themselves aware of the individual crisis management plan (ICMP) and any other risk assessment for each young person in their care. They also carry a Blick personal alarm at all times. They are trained in therapeutic crisis intervention (TCI) and physical control in care (PCC) techniques, and suitable protective equipment is available to staff during PCC operations.

Woodlands Juvenile Justice Centre: Crimes of Violence

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what additional funding and training is to be given to staff working at the Woodlands Juvenile Justice Centre following the recent attack on three members of staff and whether self-defence training will be provided; and if he will make a statement.

Paul Goggins: Mandatory therapeutic crisis intervention (TCI) and physical control in care (PCC) training is provided to all operational staff within the Woodlands Juvenile Justice Centre, and this includes suitable refresher training as appropriate. Breakaway technique is a specific element of the PCC training which provides guidance to staff on how to safely remove themselves from dangerous situations.
	The existing TCI and PCC training programmes are considered appropriate to meet current requirements. However, further training in relation to mental health is presently being explored.
	Local management constantly review and update the risk assessments posed by the young people in the Centre, and should additional training requirements be identified, that will be addressed.

TRANSPORT

A38: Plymouth

Gary Streeter: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to the answer of 25 January 2008,  Official Report, column 2318W, on A38: Plymouth, what the collision rate was for each month in the last five years for trunk roads similar to the A38 in Devon.

Tom Harris: The Highways Agency assesses the relative safety of sections of trunk road on the basis of the number of collisions per 100 million vehicle-km. The figure enables valid comparisons to be made, allowing the collision figures for any section of road irrespective of length, to be viewed in perspective. For shorter lengths of road it is advisable to assess collisions as an average over a period significantly longer than a month, usually at least three years, to minimise the effects of year-on-year variations.
	The following table gives collision rates for dual carriageway sections of trunk road in Devon and Cornwall similar to the A38 near Plymouth. The figures are based on the most recent five-year period for which relevant data are available.
	
		
			  Devon and Cornwall collision data using latest available five-year data ,  1 October 2002 to 30 September 2007 
			  Road section  Collisions per 100 million vehicle-kms 
			 A30 Camborne-Chiverton Cross 16.08 
			 A30 Garland Cross-Indian Queens 14.74 
			 A30 Innis Downs to Higher Carblake 11.77 
			 A30 Temple to Dunheved 14.71 
			 A30 Dunheved to J31 7.71 
			 A38 Moorswater to Trerulefoot 19.21 
			 A38 toll booths to J31 12.28 
			 A38 Marsh Mills to Ivybridge 12.57 
		
	
	For comparison purposes, the national injury collision rate for all types of trunk road is 14.9 per 100 million vehicle-km.

A47

Malcolm Moss: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether the Trans-European Network classification of the A47 road between Great Yarmouth and Peterborough has been amended by the European Commission.

Rosie Winterton: holding answer 30 January 2008
	The Trans-European Network classification of the A47 between Great Yarmouth and the A1 near Peterborough has not been amended by the European Commission.

A628

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment she has made of the safety of the A628; and what instructions she  (a) has given and  (b) plans to give the Highways Agency to implement safety measures on the route before 2012.

Tom Harris: Selected safety improvements schemes have been programmed to be carried out at locations on the A628 where high rates of incidents occur. There are four phases to these schemes, three of which have been completed. The final phase will start in April 2008 and is programmed to be completed in summer 2008.
	Safety studies have also been undertaken for the A628 as part of the A57/A628 Mottram-Tintwistle bypass project. The results have been published and are part of the information provided at the public inquiry into the bypass proposals.

A628

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much has been spent by her Department's agencies  (a) in preparation for the A628 Mottram to Tintwistle bypass public inquiry and  (b) in total to date.

Tom Harris: The A57/A628 Mottram-Tintwistle bypass public inquiry started in June 2007. It has taken three years of preparation to get to this stage. Cost of approximately 11.8 million have been incurred by the Highways Agency in the preparation for the public inquiry of the scheme.
	The total cost to date including the public inquiry related costs is approximately 13.7 million.

Air Routes: Felixstowe

John Gummer: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport 
	(1)  for what reasons the decision was taken to increase the number of flights flying over Felixstowe; and what factors were taken into consideration before making the decision;
	(2)  who took the decision to increase the number of flights over the Felixstowe peninsula and A12 corridor into Essex.

Jim Fitzpatrick: There has been no recent change to airspace arrangements over Felixstowe. The number of flights results from traffic demand from airports in the area and overflying requirements. This is an operational matter for NATS, the air navigation services provider, and I suggest the hon. Member direct his inquiries to the Chief Executive of NATS.

Ashbourne Bypass

Patrick McLoughlin: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps she is taking to allocate adequate funding and support for the construction of a bypass route around the town of Ashbourne in the West Derbyshire constituency.

Rosie Winterton: Responsibility for a bypass of Ashbourne rests with Derbyshire county council, the local highway authority. It is for the county council to determine its priorities for local transport investment and to make bids for funding to the Department through the regional funding allocations processthe regional statement of priorities. The county council has yet to make such a bid for a bypass of Ashbourne.

Aviation: EU Emissions Trading Scheme

Alistair Carmichael: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what consideration she has given to exemptions from the EU emissions trading scheme in circumstances in which overall emissions from aircraft are lower than those of alternative forms of transport for comparable routes.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The Government have a commitment to ensure that aviation reflects the cost of its climate change impacts. The question of emissions from other modes of transport does not directly impact on this. Including aviation in the EU emissions trading scheme (ETS) forms a crucial part of our climate change strategy, but as part of the negotiations on the inclusion of aviation in the EU ETS, member states agreed in December to exempt all flights operating under a public service obligation with an annual capacity threshold of less than 30,000 seats.

Aviation: Pollution

John Gummer: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent research her Department has  (a) commissioned and  (b) evaluated on the effects of aircraft (i) air pollution and (ii) noise on populations underneath a flight path.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The Department for Transport has not, in recent years, commissioned research on air pollution or noise under flight paths that are some distance from airports. Air quality impacts from aviation are believed to be quite localised, with limited ground level effect from emissions above 100 m.
	The Secretary of State announced the conclusions of the 'Attitudes to Noise from Aviation Sources' in England (ANASE) study (commissioned in 2001) on 2 November 2007, including a letter of explanation to all MPs. The full report and related papers are available in the Library of the House, and on the Department's website at:
	http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/aviation/environmentalissues/Anase/
	The Secretary of State launched the consultation 'Adding Capacity at Heathrow Airport' on 22 November 2007. It runs until 27 February 2008. This reports on the outcome of a three-year programme of assessment of the environmental impacts in the Heathrow area.

Aviation: Public Participation

John Gummer: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what arrangements are in place by which members of the public who are affected by the decisions of the Civil Aviation Authority and National Air Traffic Services concerning overflying and air safety measures may hold those bodies to account.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has a clear process for deciding upon airspace changes, as set out in the Airspace Charter (CAP724) and Guidance on the Airspace Change Process (CAP725).
	Sponsors of airspace changes, mostly NATS, the air navigation services provider, or airports, are responsible for developing and consulting upon proposals. Detailed guidance is given on what impacts are to be taken into account, how they should be measured and who should be consulted. Informed by the consultation, the sponsor submits the proposal to the CAA's Directorate of Airspace Policy for assessment. In determining whether to accept or reject a proposal, the CAA's process reflects the Secretary of State's directions and guidance to the CAA on the exercise of its statutory duties and environmental objectives.
	There is no direct statutory right of appeal against the Director of Airspace Policy's decision. However, the Airspace change process requires that the CAA review an airspace change 12 months after implementation to determine whether the airspace change, as approved, has been implemented and whether the anticipated safety, capacity, efficiency and environmental benefits have materialised.

Aviation: Suffolk

John Gummer: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment she has made of the likely effect of expansion of  (a) Heathrow and  (b) Stansted airport on the height at which planes fly over Suffolk.

Jim Fitzpatrick: It is not for the Secretary of State for Transport to assess the effect of expansion at  (a) Heathrow and  (b) Stansted on the height at which planes fly over Suffolk.
	Subject to Government policy support for expansion at Heathrow and Stansted, it is a commercial decision for the airport operator, BAA, to determine whether to pursue expansion plans.
	If it did so, BAA would seek the support of NATS, the air navigation services provider, to develop a detailed airspace change proposal in accordance with arrangements under the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA)'s independent Airspace Change Process. CAA Guidance on the Application of the Airspace Change Process (CAP725) provides detailed advice on the process. It would be for the CAA's Director of Airspace Policy to assess any airspace change proposal against regulatory requirements and determine whether any such change should be approved.

Aviation: Turkey

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what progress she has made in contacting the Turkish director general of Civil Aviation on behalf of the hon. Member for Forest of Dean.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The Department is still awaiting a substantive response from the Turkish directorate general of Civil Aviation regarding an incident on 7 September involving Onur Air. It is actively pursuing this matter with the Turkish authorities. In the meantime, Onur Air is subject to safety inspections from the Civil Aviation Authority.

Biofuels: Garages and Petrol Stations

Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many UK petrol stations sell ethanol fuels.

Jim Fitzpatrick: holding answer 6 February 2008
	Petrol containing small amounts of ethanol is widely available at a large number of UK filling stations and is suitable for use in any petrol-engined vehicle. This type of petrol is sometimes referred to as E5 fuel, because it contains less than 5 per cent. ethanol by volume. Petrol pumps dispensing E5 fuel do not need to be labelled any differently from regular petrol pumps, and the Government do not keep data on the number of petrol stations selling E5 fuel at any given time. Information on the total amount of ethanol sold in the UK is, however, available via the HMRC website at http://www.uktradeinfo.com. This shows that in 2007, for example, around 150 million litres of ethanol were blended into UK petrol (some 0.6 per cent. of total UK petrol sales).
	Certain types of vehicle, sometimes referred to as flex-fuel vehicles, can run on much higher blends of ethanol. There are around 20 filling stations in the UK selling petrol containing up to 85 per cent. ethanol by volume (E85 fuels). Details of the location of these filling stations are available via the Energy Saving Trust's website at:
	http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk

Bull Bars: Regulation

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what regulations cover the driving of a vehicle fitted with bull bars that was imported as such; and if she will make a statement.

Jim Fitzpatrick: Vehicles that are imported into the UK have to meet the requirements of the single vehicle approval scheme, which currently does not cover bull bars. The Department will be consulting shortly on amending the scheme to require all bull bars on imported vehicles to meet the technical requirements contained within Directive 2005/66/EC.

Concessionary Fares Scheme

John Whittingdale: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to the answer of 22 January 2008,  Official Report, column 1352W, on the concessionary fares scheme, if she will break down by main budget heading the 1 billion spent by Government annually on the scheme.

Rosie Winterton: Between 2000 and 31 March 2006 the statutory minimum bus concession was half fare off-peak local bus travel within an eligible resident's local authority area. During this period funding to local authorities for the statutory minimum concession through formula grant was not separately identified. However, local authority spending on concessionary travel at the end of this period was almost 500 million per year and a significant proportion of this expenditure would have been sourced from formula grant funding.
	From 1 April 2006, with the improvement to the statutory minimum concession to free off-peak local bus travel within a resident's local authority area, the Government provided an extra 350 million in 2006-07 and a further 367.5 million in 2007-08. This was accompanied by allocations of 69 million and 72 million in those two years to the devolved administrations under the Barnett formula.
	For the further improvement to the statutory minimum concession to England-wide travel from 1 April this year, the Government are providing an additional 212 million special grant funding in 2008-09. This equates to 250 million when allocations to the devolved administrations under the Barnett formula are included. This takes our best estimate of total central Government funding for statutory concessionary travel in 2008-09 to around 1 billion.

Cycling: Road Traffic Offences

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps she  (a) has taken and  (b) plans to take in each of the next two years to raise awareness of the consequences of cyclists going through a red traffic light; and if she will make a statement.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The Highway Code details the legal responsibilities of all road users and was revised last year. There is no excuse for any road user to ignore red traffic lights. It puts both the perpetrator and other road users in danger. All road users should obey all road traffic laws and treat others with respect. Enforcement of the law is a matter for the police, and the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) has written to all chief police officers asking them to take action against cyclists going through red lights.
	We are supporting Bikeability the new national standard for cycle training. We have made funds available to Cycling England to train 500,000 children by 2012. We believe better training of children will lead to better behaviour by cyclists on the road as well as encouraging children to continue to cycle as adults.

Driver and Vehicle Licence Agency: Correspondence

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many people have claimed that letters sent to the DVLA register changes of ownership had been lost in the post in the last two years; what discussions she has had with Royal Mail and the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency on this issue; and if she will make a statement.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The information is not held in the form requested.
	Under the terms of its contract with the Royal Mail, the DVLA monitors its performance in the distribution of mail from Swansea. Mail sent by customers to the DVLA is not covered by this contract. Customers sending letters to the DVLA make their own arrangements with the Royal Mail. Nevertheless, in exceptional circumstances, the DVLA does ask Royal Mail to search for items that have been reported as lost on their way to the agency.

Driving Tests

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to her statement of 17 December 2007,  Official Report, column 624, on Department for Transport data storage, what internal rules are used by Pearson Driving Assessments to ensure compliance with UK data protection law.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The contract between the Department for Transport and Pearson Driving Assessments Ltd requires the latter to comply with obligations equivalent to those imposed on the Department, as a data controller, as stated by the seventh principle of the Data Protection Act 1998. This principle requires that appropriate technical and organisational measures be taken against unauthorised or unlawful processing of personal data and against accidental loss or destruction of, or damage to, personal data.
	Pearson Driving Assessments Ltd is ISO 27001 accredited. Pearson has appointed an independent internal auditor to annually review the design and operation of the control procedures performed by Pearson Driving Assessments Ltd.

Driving Tests

Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what guidance she has issued to the Driving Standards Agency on factors to be taken into account when deciding on the location of driving test centres.

Jim Fitzpatrick: Ministers have agreed the Driving Standards Agency's published 'Code of Practice on Written ConsultationsDriving Test Centres'. This was revised in July 2005 and is available on the DSA website at:
	http://www.dsa.gov.uk/Consultation.asp?id=SXBAF2A 7825C59cat=418
	The DSA needs to provide a safe environment for staff and customers, and to fulfil the demand for services in a cost-efficient manner. With these aims in mind, the DSA considers the following factors when deciding on the location of driving test centres:
	a network that enables demand for tests and average waiting time targets to be met;
	that most customers should only have to travel a reasonable distance to take their test in relation to where they live;
	that theory test centres should be centrally located on public transport routes;
	practical test centres must be in an area where a sufficient number of suitable test routes can be provided. Adequate parking for candidates is needed in close proximity to the test centre;
	the facilities available in all workplaces must satisfy health and safety and other statutory requirements. Local factors including propensity for assaults, vandalism and break-ins should also be considered;
	the cost of the test centre including rent, rates and running costs must be viable and the terms of the lease or other property agreement must be acceptable and sufficiently flexible to satisfy DSA's future requirements; and
	ideally full-time, permanent test centres should provide off-road car parking, waiting areas and toilets for the use of candidates and be fully DDA compliant.

Driving Tests: Warrington

Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if she will ensure that the chief executive of the Driving Standards Agency responds to representations from Warrington residents about the proposed relocation of the Warrington driving test centre.

Jim Fitzpatrick: All representations to the chief executive of the Driving Standards Agency received from Warrington residents about the proposed relocation of Warrington driving test centre will receive a response from her.

Driving Under Influence: Accidents

Mark Hunter: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport 
	(1)  how many road accidents involving young people caused by drivers found to be impaired by drugs there were  (a) in total and  (b) in each police authority in each year since 1997;
	(2)  how many young people subsequently found to be under the influence of drugs died as a result of road traffic accidents  (a) in total and  (b) in each police authority area in each year since 1997.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The number of reported personal injury road accidents involving at least one young driver/rider (aged 17 to 24) with impairment by drugs (illicit or medicinal) as a contributory factor for 2005 and 2006 in Great Britain is shown in the following table.
	
		
			   Number of accidents 
			 2005 177 
			 2006 189 
		
	
	The number of young driver/rider (aged 17 to 24) fatalities resulting from reported road accidents in which the driver/rider had impairment by drugs (illicit or medicinal) as a contributory factor in 2005 and 2006 in Great Britain is shown in the following table.
	
		
			   Number of fatalities 
			 2005 6 
			 2006 9 
		
	
	Information on contributory factors is not available for years prior to 2005, and is not available at police authority level.
	The contributory factor impairment by drugs applies to illicit drugs as well as all medicines, whether prescription or 'over the counter'. It is not possible to separate the factor into illicit and medicinal drugs.
	This factor is recorded in accidents in which the police officer's opinion at the time of reporting is that the driver/rider was affected by drugs and behaved in a way which caused, or contributed to, the accident. This may not be the result of a drug screening test.

Durham Green Developments Limited

Eric Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what meetings  (a) Ministers,  (b) special advisers and  (c) civil servants in her Department have had with representatives of Durham Green Developments Ltd in the last 36 months.

Tom Harris: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to his question on 22 January 2008,  Official Report, column 819W, in respect of Durham Green Business Park. There have been no other meetings with representatives of Durham Green Developments Ltd.

Electric Vehicles

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport 
	(1)  if she will meet representatives of the electric personal assistive mobility devices industry to discuss the role of their products in transport policy;
	(2)  what discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on the potential impact of electric personal assistive mobility devices on UK climate change and carbon emissions targets; and if she will make a statement;
	(3)  what discussions she has had with her European counterparts on the role of electric personal assistive mobility devices in transport policy; and if she will make a statement.

Rosie Winterton: The Secretary of State for Transport has no current plans to meet representatives of electric personal assistive mobility device manufacturers or promoters, nor has she had discussions on this subject with the Secretary of State for DEFRA or with her European counterparts.
	If, as we understand, the use of such devices is likely to be primarily as an alternative to walking or cycling, their potential in terms of greenhouse gas and local pollution reduction is at best negligible.
	However, officials will be considering available reports on trials and usage of some of these machines in other countries.

Fares: Non-payment

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if she will estimate the loss of revenue from fare evasion on the railways in each of the last five years.

Tom Harris: The Department does not hold such information, although, as we made clear in our Rail White Paper last summer we believe the industry's reported figure of 5 per cent. to be an underestimate. For this reason we have required operators to implement a structured revenue protection strategy as part of all franchise agreements entered into since 2004.
	Further steps were outlined to support revenue protection in the White Paper published last summer, including reviewing the role of gating schemes. Among recent franchises, the Department is securing commitments to gating schemes such as those for Birmingham New Street and London Waterloo.

Fares: Non-payment

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many on-the-spot fines were issued for fare evasion and possession of an incorrect ticket on trains in each of the last five years; and how much revenue this has generated.

Tom Harris: The train operators do not impose on the spot fines for either fare evasion or incorrect tickets. When a passenger has no ticket and is travelling in a penalty fare area, he or she will be charged 20 or double the fare for the journey, whichever is greater. This is not a finethat is, it is not additional to the fare, but is a penalty rate for the journey. Outside penalty fare areas passengers may be charged for a full standard fare without the right to discounts available before boarding. This does not apply to some local services where pay on the train applies.
	The railways also issue excess fares. A person who has the wrong ticket is charged the difference between the ticket held and the correct one when, for instance, travelling between two points along a route that is not allowed by the ticket.
	The DfT does not hold information on these categories of fares.

First Great Western: Standards

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps she is taking to improve  (a) seating comfort and  (b) capacity on services provided by First Great Western.

Tom Harris: The White Paper published in the summer included a commitment to 1,300 extra carriages. They will be targeted at the most congested routes on the network.
	On 30 January the Department for Transport published its rolling stock plan. This shows indicative numbers of rolling stock per train operating company, and 52 additional vehicles are shown for First Great Western. The rolling stock plan explains that these numbers are not intended to be prescriptive or to limit the development process with the industry, and could therefore be subject to change in the final outcome.

First Great Western: Standards

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many  (a) complaints and  (b) representations on the (i) provision of services and (ii) performance by First Great Western services in Hampshire were received by her Department in each month since May 2005; and if she will make a statement.

Tom Harris: In the last 12 months, Ministers and officials at the Department for Transport have received many representations regarding various aspects of First Greater Western operations. Ministers remain very concerned about First Great Western's performance, and want to see improvements matching those seen elsewhere in the industry.

Freight: Foreigners

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what action the Government have taken to ensure that foreign-registered haulage vehicles on British roads comply with the requirements of EU legislation.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) has a specific responsibility to help ensure that all commercial vehicles and drivers comply with the law, irrespective of whether their operating base is in the UK or elsewhere. Additionally, VOSA has significantly stepped up the level of enforcement activity in respect of commercial vehicles undertaking international journeys since the beginning of 2006-07.
	The Government have also introduced new provisions in the Road Safety Act 2006 so thatin addition to prohibiting vehicles and drivers for various offencesboth VOSA and the police will be able to issue fixed penalties to offenders, regardless of nationality. The Department is aiming to make all the necessary secondary legislation to implement these provisions as soon as possible.

Freight: Roads

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what action the Government have taken to assist the British haulage industry since 1997.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The most significant actions that the Government have taken have been announced in Budget and pre-Budget reports (PBRs), and the highlights of these are the focus of this response.
	The Government announced in 1999 their intention to engage more fully with hauliers when they announced the creation of the Road Haulage Forum. This forum offered the industry, through representative organisations such as the Freight Transport Association (FTA), Road Haulage Association (RHA) and the Transport and General Workers' Union (TGWU), the opportunity to meet Ministers regularly to explore any industry problems and discuss possible solutions.
	The setting up of the forum was followed by the PBR 2000 announcement of the Road Haulage Modernisation Fund, which offered 100 million to the UK trucking industry. The modernisation fund was part of a package including a 220 million VED rebate and a freeze on fuel duties.
	PBR 2005 saw the creation of the Haulage Industry Task Group (HITG). The group's aim was to develop a stronger evidence base to inform the Government's future policy decisions. The RHA and FTA were represented on this group, and the HITG reported its findings at PBR 2006. PBR 2005 also saw the Government announce 2 million for new enforcement equipment for VOSA.
	PBR 2006 announced that the Government would undertake a feasibility study of options for better enforcement against foreign hauliers including a time-based charging system for use of UK roads (a vignette). A progress report was published last November.
	Following last year's Budget announcement that there had been a significant increase in targeted checks by VOSA of vehicles on international journeys, PBR 2007 announced that an extra 2 million a year would be dedicated to the Government's ongoing drive to enforce road safety law for hauliers, with the focus particularly on those undertaking international journeys.
	The Department also operates a Freight Best Practice programme which aims to reduce the environmental impact of the freight industry through improved operational efficiency. The industry benefit over the last two years has shown savings of 83 million. The free advice that the programme offers is available at www.freightbestpractice.org.uk, and further information on other actions the Government have taken to assist hauliers is available at
	www.dft.gov.uk

Galileo

Austin Mitchell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what account was taken of the Transport Committee's recommendations (First Report, Session 2007-08, HC 53) on the Galileo project in the Government's subsequent position in European Union decisions on Galileo; whether any changes were made to the Government's position as a result of the Committee's report; how much the UK is committed to contribute to this project; and what discussions she has had with the Chairman of the Select Committee on this matter.

Rosie Winterton: The Government welcomed the report of the Transport Committee, which agreed with much of our analysis on both the significant potential benefits of the programme and the questions giving cause for concern.
	The Government's negotiating position at ECOFIN and the Transport councils was endorsed by Parliament following a debate in European Standing Committee on 26 November 2007. We worked with other member states to meet our concerns, and successfully reached agreement on the need for robust control of costs, clear and transparent governance, and maximum competition in procurement.
	The UK has directly committed funds of 142 million as an ESA member state for the ESA element of the design and development phase of the programme. As EU member states contribute to the EC budget as a whole, rather than to individual spending programmes within it, there is no specific UK contribution to the EC budget-funded element of the development and subsequent deployment costs for Galileo.
	There have been no specific discussions between departmental Ministers and the Chairman of the committee on Galileo since publication of the report, but the subject was raised at the Transport Committee hearing on 30 January 2008.

Heathrow Airport

Justine Greening: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport in relation to the Adding capacity at Heathrow airport public consultation document what is  (a) the current proportion of twin-engined aircraft to four-engined aircraft using Heathrow airport and  (b) the assumed proportion of twin-engined aircraft to four-engined aircraft used in projecting future noise and environmental modelling contained in the consultation document; and if she will make a statement.

Jim Fitzpatrick: holding answer 25 January 2008
	Four-engined aircraft are estimated to account for some 15 per cent. of the fleet at Heathrow in 2005. The noise and environmental modelling reported in the Heathrow consultation documents assume an increase in the proportion of twin-engined aircraft over time, with the proportion of four-engined aircraft declining to around 12 per cent. in a mixed-mode scenario (2015) and 6 per cent. in a third runway scenario (2020). These forecasts are informed by current, known airline fleet replacement plans and discussions with airlines on likely future trends. More detail on the fleet composition is set out in the two supporting technical reports, ERCD Report 0705 on noise exposure estimates and AEA report on emission summaries, both available on the DFT website:
	www.dft.gov.uk

Heathrow Airport: Safety

Justine Greening: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate her Department has made of the number of missed approaches made by planes landing at Heathrow in each of the last four years; and if she will make a statement.

Jim Fitzpatrick: holding answer 25 January 2008
	This is an operational matter for NATS, the air navigation services provider at Heathrow airport. I suggest the hon. Member directs her inquiries to the chief executive of NATS.

Intimidation

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many cases of bullying were reported in  (a) her Department and  (b) its agencies in each of the last 12 months.

Jim Fitzpatrick: A total of 38 formal cases of bullying were reported in the Department for Transport and its agencies between January 2007 and December 2007.

Lorries

Gwyneth Dunwoody: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport 
	(1)  when the study commissioned by her Department in December 2005 of longer heavier vehicles will report; and whether the full report will be published;
	(2)  what consultants have been employed by her Department in relation to the study commissioned in December 2005 of longer heavier vehicles.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The study was commissioned in October 2006 following a decision in December 2005 by the then Minister of State, Department for Transport, my hon. Friend the Member for South Thanet (Dr. Ladyman), to refuse applications from two hauliers each wishing to trial a goods vehicle longer and heavier than those currently permitted. This updates information provided in my answer of 17 December 2007,  Official Report,
	columns 1117-8W.
	A freight transport consultant from Faber Maunsell was appointed to manage the study, with the research work being undertaken by the Transport Research Laboratory (TRL) and Heriot-Watt university. The full report should be published by the end of February.

Lorries: Environment

Andrew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment her Department has made of the environmental impact of allowing trucks of over 60 tonnes on the roads; and if she will make a statement.

Jim Fitzpatrick: holding answer 5 February 2008
	The environmental impact of such vehicles is currently being assessed in a study, the report of which should be published in full shortly.

Maritime and Coastguard Agency: Emergency Calls

Julia Goldsworthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many 999 calls the Maritime and Coastguard Agency has answered in each of the last five years.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The Maritime and Coastguard Agency has collected statistics about the total number of reported incidents to coastguard rescue co-ordination centres for many years, but more precise information on the number of 999 calls received has only been collected reliably since April 2006. From April to December 2006 coastguard rescue co-ordination centres received 18,066 calls and in 2007 they received 21,321 calls to the end of November (the latest period for which information is available).

Maritime and Coastguard Agency: False Alarms

Alistair Carmichael: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many hoax calls the Maritime and Coastguard Agency received in each year since 2000; and how many people were convicted for making such calls in each year.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) has responded in some way to the following number of incidents, by year, which were found to be hoax.
	
		
			   Number 
			 2000 221 
			 2001 206 
			 2002 260 
			 2003 232 
			 2004 301 
			 2005 406 
			 2006 529 
			 2007 (1)691 
			 (1) Provisional figure. 
		
	
	Information on hoax calls are passed to the police and the MCA is not always aware of the outcome.

Motor Vehicles: Excise Duties

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate she has made of the number of  (a) motor cars and  (b) motorcycles being used on the road without the payment of vehicle excise duty in each region in each year since 2001.

Jim Fitzpatrick: Estimates of the number of unlicensed vehicles being used on the road in each region are not available.
	However, the estimated rate of unlicensed vehicles seen in traffic is available for each region. These estimates represent evasion among vehicles travelling in each region, which may be different from the region in which each vehicle's keeper lives. Owing to small sample sizes estimates are not available for motorcycles, but they are available for vehicles in the private and light goods tax class, as follows:
	
		
			  Rate of unlicensed vehicles in traffic 
			  Percentage 
			  Region  2002  2004  2005  2006 
			 East of England 3.1 1.8 2.2 2.1 
			 East midlands 2.2 1.5 1.6 1.7 
			 Greater London 4.5 2.1 1.8 2.1 
			 North-east 2.4 1.3 1.3 1.3 
			 North-west 2.8 2.0 1.7 2.5 
			 Scotland 1.6 2.3 1.9 2.3 
			 South-east 2.8 1.8 2.0 1.9 
			 South-west 2.6 1.4 1.5 1.7 
			 Wales 2.8 1.9 2.9 2.7 
			 West midlands 2.3 1.8 2.2 1.5 
			 Yorkshire and the Humber 2.4 1.8 1.6 2.2 
		
	
	Roadside surveys were not conducted in either 2001 or 2003, and estimates are therefore unavailable for these years.

Motor Vehicles: Excise Duties

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many motorists failed to pay vehicle excise duty in each of the last 10 years.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The estimated numbers of unlicensed vehicles in use in Great Britain are as follows.
	
		
			  Thousand 
			   Estimated number of unlicensed vehicles in use  Of which, number liable for vehicle excise duty  Of which, number exempt from vehicle excise duty 
			 1999 1,337 1,277 60 
			 2002 1,905 1,770 135 
			 2004 1,240 1,168 72 
			 2005 1,549 1,459 90 
			 2006 2,170 2,089 81 
		
	
	Roadside surveys were not conducted in 2000, 2001 or 2003, and estimates are therefore unavailable for those years.

Motor Vehicles: Insurance

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate she has made of the number of  (a) motorcars and  (b) motorcycles being used on the road without insurance in each region in each year since 2001.

Jim Fitzpatrick: Our latest estimate (2005) for uninsured driving is based on a comparison of the vehicle register, maintained by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing agency and the Motor Insurance Database. The estimate is that about 2.1 million licensed vehicles (about 6.5 per cent. of the UK fleet) are being driven by uninsured drivers. There is no similar comparison for earlier years and no separate information for motorcars and motorcycles or by region.

Motor Vehicles: Testing

David Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans she has to review the future use of the MOT vehicle testing scheme.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The Department will be consulting later this year on the frequency of MOT testing.

Network Rail

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if she will publish the reports on the west coast route modernisation submitted to the Office of Rail Regulation in  (a) 2005,  (b) 2006 and  (c) 2007 by its regulatory reporters appointed under Condition 23 of Network Rail's network licence.

Tom Harris: This is a matter for the ORR. The ORR informs me that its views on the programme, based directly on the reports, are published in ORR's quarterly 'Network Rail Monitor' and in the 'Annual Assessment of Network Rail 2006-07'. Copies of these publications are available on ORR's website at:
	http://www.rail-reg.gov.uk.

Network Rail

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport under what conditions  (a) train operators and  (b) other persons are entitled to have access to the asset register established by Network Rail under Condition 24 of its network licence.

Tom Harris: This is a matter for Network Rail, as the owner and operator of the national rail network. The hon. Member should contact Network Rail's chief executive at the following address for a response to her questions.
	Iain Coucher
	Chief Executive
	Network Rail
	40 Melton Street
	London
	NW1 2EE

Network Rail

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what proposals  (a) she and  (b) the Office of Rail Regulation have for enhancing the accountability of Network Rail to its train operator customers.

Tom Harris: Network Rail is accountable through its network licence and to its customers through its contracts and industry codes. The ORR keeps these under review.

Network Rail: Finance

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much has been spent by Network Rail in each region in each year since its establishment; and what its projected spend in each region is in each of the next three years.

Tom Harris: This is a matter for Network Rail as the owner and operator of the national rail network. The hon. Member should contact Network Rail's Chief Executive at the following address for a response to his question.
	Iain Coucher
	Chief Executive
	Network Rail
	40 Melton Street
	London NW12EE

Network Rail: Pay

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if she will take steps to arrange the method of bonus calculation for Network Rail directors so as to incentivise growth of the network.

Tom Harris: Decisions on bonuses are a matter for Network Rail's independent remuneration committee, not for Government. The level of bonuses is determined by the degree of achievement of key performance indicator regulatory targets under Network Rail's annual management incentive plan, produced in accordance with a licence requirement of the independent Office of Rail Regulation.

Official Cars: Carbon Emissions

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what volume of carbon dioxide was emitted from ministerial vehicles in each year for which information is available.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The information requested is not recorded and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. The figure for the ministerial fleet is currently 147.62 grams per kilometre (g/km). However, the average CO2 emission profile for all new cars purchased since April 2006 is currently 130 g/km.

Official Cars: Excise Duties

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what proportion of the Government's ministerial car fleet is in each of the vehicle excise duty bands.

Jim Fitzpatrick: Of the 85 cars currently in the ministerial fleet provided by the Government Car and Despatch agency, 53 (62.3 per cent.) are vehicle excise duty (VED) band B, one (1.2 per cent.) is in VED band C, 30 (35.3 per cent.) are in VED band F and one (1.2 per cent.) is in VED band G.

Pollution

Nick Ainger: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when she expects the Government to ratify the  (a) convention on hazardous and noxious substances 1996,  (b) convention on oil pollution preparedness and co-operation/hazardous and noxious substances 2000,  (c) anti-fouling convention and  (d) ballast and water management convention; and if she will make a statement.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The United Kingdom, together with many other EU and third country states, has not yet ratified the International convention on liability and compensation for damage in connection with the carriage of hazardous and noxious substances by Sea (HNS), 1996, because of a number of technical and legal difficulties with the current text. To overcome these difficulties the International Maritime Organisation's legal committee will consider the text of a new draft legal instrument at its meeting in October 2008. This legal instrument is likely to be in the form of a protocol. Once new text has been agreed at IMO, the UK will take the necessary steps to ratify the convention, as amended by the protocol.
	The UK intends to accede to the oil pollution preparedness, response and co-operation (OPRC) Convention Protocol 2000 as soon as possible, following the introduction of secondary legislation later this year.
	Legislation to implement the international convention on the control of harmful anti-fouling systems on ships 2001 (anti-fouling convention) is currently in draft, and will be issued for public consultation later this year. The Government will ratify the convention once this consultation has been satisfactorily completed and the legislation is in place.
	The Government intend to begin work on implementing and ratifying the international convention for the control and management of ships ballast water and sediments 2004 (Ballast Water Convention), once outstanding issues relating to the availability of treatment systems and the associated guidance are resolved through the International Maritime Organisation.

Railway Stations: Bicycles

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions her Department has had with Network Rail and train operating companies on the provision of secure bicycle parking at stations; and if she will make a statement.

Tom Harris: The rail White Paper Delivering a Sustainable Railway announced the setting up of a Cycle and Rail Task Force (CRIT) to look into how bike and rail journeys can be better integrated. The task force includes the Association of Train Operating Companies, Network Rail, Passenger Focus, Cycling England and the Department for Transport. Secure bicycle parking is one of the issues that the task force will be considering.

Railway Stations: Bicycles

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether her Department has considered setting minimum standards for the provision of secure bicycle parking at major railway stations.

Tom Harris: Guidance on the provision of secure bicycle parking is contained in the DFT Bike and Rail Policy document published by the former Strategic Rail Authority (SRA) in 2004 and since adopted by the Department for Transport. This can be found on the Department's website at:
	www.dft.gov.uk
	This guidance was referenced in the invitations to tender for the recent rail franchise awards when directing bidders to submit proposals for improving facilities at stations for cyclists.
	The new Cycle and Rail Task Force was created to help the Government get right the detail of the franchising regime with respect to the integration of bike and rail.

Railways: Concessions

Martin Salter: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment she has made of the effects of the terms of the young persons railcard on the purchase of rail passes and season tickets; and what representations she has received on extending the use of such railcards for peak time travel.

Tom Harris: The young persons railcard is a product targeted at promoting leisure travel. The terms and conditions of use are such that it should not affect the purchase or demand for rail passes and season tickets.
	No formal representations have been received in respect of the extension of use of young persons railcards to embrace commuter travel, although it allows peak time travel subject to minimum fare levels.

Railways: Fares

Ben Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if she will take steps to limit the increases in rail fares for rail users without season tickets.

Tom Harris: holding answer 1 February 2008
	In addition to most season tickets, fares regulation encompasses standard day singles and returns in urban commuter areas and saver fares for long-distance travel (or a standard day return for long-distance journeys for which there was no saver). Regulated fares are usually limited to average fares increases of RPI+1, though operators are free to raise individual fares up to RPI+6 per cent. as long as this is matched by decreases in other regulated fares on their network.
	Other fares are unregulated: train operators are free to set prices as they wish subject to competition from coach, air travel and car.
	The Department continues to listen to the representations of Passenger Focus, and has invited it to take a greater role in commenting on the specification of future franchises.

Railways: Fines

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many complaints were made following on-the-spot fines on the railways in each of the last five years; and how many of these were upheld.

Tom Harris: The train operators on the National Rail network do not issue on-the-spot fines and therefore there have been no complaints about them. In areas where a penalty fares scheme is in place, passengers travelling without tickets, or who for other approved reasons are liable to be issued with a penalty fare notice, are subsequently entitled to make an appeal. The approved appeals bodies themselves keep records of all such appeals.

Railways: Freedom of Information

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans her Department has to bring forward measures to make  (a) train operating companies and  (b) Network Rail subject to the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

Jim Fitzpatrick: None at this stage. The Government keep the Freedom of Information Act under continuous review and a consultation period on the extension of its scope has recently ended.

Railways: Portsmouth

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what specifications requested by her Department were written into the franchise documents for mainline express journeys from Portsmouth to London via Basingstoke for  (a) seating and  (b) stand alone tables prior to the franchise being won by South West Trains.

Tom Harris: The Department did not specify the internal specification of the rolling stock on the South Western Franchise.

Railways: Repairs and Maintenance

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport 
	(1)  how many timetabled engineering projects Network Rail has carried out in each of the last five years;
	(2)  how many timetabled engineering projects run by Network Rail have overrun their timetable in each of the last five years; and what percentage of works this represents.

Tom Harris: These are operational matters for Network Rail, as the owner and operator of the national rail network. The hon. Member should contact Network Rail's chief executive at the following address for a response to his questions.
	Iain Coucher
	Chief Executive
	Network Rail
	40 Melton Street
	London
	NW1 2EE

Office of Rail Regulation

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what capacity measurement tools are used by the Office of Rail Regulation in relation to  (a) track,  (b) stations and  (c) light maintenance depots.

Tom Harris: This is a matter for the Office of Rail Regulation (ORR). ORR informs me that it makes use of industry standard models as appropriate. It can also require Network Rail and other stakeholders to carry out capacity modelling or commission its own.
	ORR also requires Network Rail to report on specific capacity metrics in its annual return. ORR uses this data in its annual assessment of Network Rail. The Annual Assessment of Network Rail 2006-07 is available on ORR's website at:
	http://www.rail-reg.gov.uk

Roads

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what research  (a) has been conducted since 1997 and  (b) is planned by her Department comparing forecast and actual traffic levels for (i) the building of new roads and motorways and (ii) the widening of existing roads and motorways; and if she will place in the Library copies of reports of such research.

Tom Harris: Since 2002 the Highways Agency has retrospectively analysed the accuracy of the traffic flow forecasts for all major trunk road improvement schemes, including the widening of existing roads and motorways. A preliminary analysis is undertaken of some schemes immediately after opening, but all schemes over 5 million are evaluated one year and five years after scheme opening. A table giving carbon dioxide, traffic, and road traffic accident data of major Highways Agency schemes, opened since 1997 and completed before December 2006, is in the House of Commons Library.

Roads

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport 
	(1)  if she will publish on her Department's website lists of road schemes approved and funded by the Department, providing  (a) the costs at approval,  (b) the latest ministerially approved cost and  (c) the estimated carbon dioxide emissions impact;
	(2)  if she will publish on her Department's website the appraisal summary tables of the road schemes she has approved.

Rosie Winterton: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 4 February 2008,  Official Report, columns 790-91W.

Roads: Accidents

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many  (a) injuries and  (b) deaths there were on roads in (i) Peterborough constituency and (ii) the Peterborough city council area in each of the last 10 years.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The numbers of people  (a) injured and  (b) killed resulting from reported personal injury road accidents in (i) Peterborough constituency and (ii) Peterborough city council in 1997 to 2006 are shown in the table.
	
		
			  Number of casualties 
			   Peterborough constituency( 1)  Peterborough city council 
			   Injured( 2)  Killed  Injured( 2)  Killed 
			 1997 618 4 1,188 7 
			 1998 611 4 1,148 10 
			 1999 556 4 1,030 13 
			 2000 603 5 1,215 16 
			 2001 602 1 1,161 10 
			 2002 639 3 1,184 11 
			 2003 683 2 1,222 12 
			 2004 672 4 1,253 17 
			 2005 679 2 1,273 11 
			 2006 583 4 1,100 8 
			 (1) Based on 2004 parliamentary constituency boundaries.  (2) Serious or slightly injured.

Roads: Death

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many deaths there were in motor accidents in which a contributory factor was  (a) consumption of illegal drugs,  (b) consumption of alcohol and  (c) tiredness of the driver during December in each year since 1997.

Tom Harris: The number of fatalities resulting from reported road accidents in which a driver/rider had impairment by alcohol, impairment by drugs (illicit or medicinal) or fatigue as a contributory factor during December for 2005 and 2006 is shown in the table.
	
		
			  Number of fatalities 
			  Driver contributory factor  2005  2006 
			 Impaired by alcohol 38 35 
			 Impaired by drugs (illicit or medicinal) 5 7 
			 Fatigue 13 7 
		
	
	Information on contributory factors is not available prior to 2005.
	The contributory factor impairment by drugs applies to illicit drugs as well as all medicines, whether prescription or 'over the counter'. It is not possible to separate the factor into illicit and medicinal drugs.
	The contributory factor impaired by alcohol is recorded in accidents in which the police officer's opinion at the time of reporting is that the driver/rider was affected by alcohol and behaved in a way which caused, or contributed to, the accidentwhether or not they were above the legal limit. This may not be the result of a breath or blood test.

Roads: East Anglia

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent discussions her Department has had with officials in the European Commission on the prioritisation of funding for the Trans European Road Network in East Anglia; and if she will make a statement.

Rosie Winterton: holding answer 24 January 2008
	The Department put forward a bid under the TEN-T multi-annual bidding round. The UK bid package included two East Anglia road schemes on the A14, funding for works on the A14 between Ellington and Fen Ditton, and between Haughley to Stowmarket. The EC awarded a TEN-T grant of 80.7 million (60.1 million) on 27 November. We are now in talks with the Commission to finalise how this award will be divided between the different schemes within our bid package.

Rolling Stock

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport for what reason the rolling stock plan does not include new diesel rolling stock for the SouthCentral franchise; and what assessment she has made of the adequacy of the complement of such stock on the  (a) Brighton-Ashford and  (b) Uckfield-London line.

Tom Harris: Bidders for the replacement South Central franchise, for which invitations to tender will be issued later this year, will be required to demonstrate how they plan to match capacity to demand for all the routes in the franchise, including the Uckfield and Ashford lines.

Rolling Stock: Standards

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport 
	(1)  if she will bring forward proposals to meet the criticisms recorded in the Rail Passengers Council report of March 2005 in relation to the standard of stock on the Portsmouth mainline express service; and if she will make a statement;
	(2)  if she will remit the report of March 2005 from the Rail Passengers Council back to the council requesting that it bring forward specific recommendations to address the views of passengers expressed in the report.

Tom Harris: The disposition of rolling stock is a matter not for Government, but for Stagecoach South Western Trains (SSWT).

Severn Bridge: Tolls

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to the answer of 4 February 2008,  Official Report, column 719W, on Severn Bridge: tolls, when the working group is expected to present its findings.

Rosie Winterton: The working group is expecting to submit a report of its findings and recommendations by early autumn.

Shipping: Climate Change

Alistair Carmichael: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment her Department has made of the implications of climate change for the UK marine shipping industry.

Jim Fitzpatrick: It is important to place UK shipping firmly in context as part of an industry which operates worldwide and is best regulated on a global basis. The Government recognise that shipping generates greenhouse gas emissions which contribute to climate change. Consequently, the Government are working actively within the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) to limit greenhouse gas emissions and other atmospheric emissions from ships. At the IMO's Marine Environment Protection Committee meeting held in July 2007, the UK argued strongly for the IMO to be both swift and bold in bringing forward measures. The July 2007 Marine Environment Protection Committee meeting considered control measures for greenhouse gas emissions from ships, and set up a correspondence group with a remit to examine possible technical, operational and market-based measures to address greenhouse gas emissions from ships. The correspondence group will report to the next meeting of the Marine Environment Protection Committee, which is from 31 March to 4 April 2008. It is the aim of the IMO to agree on recommendations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from ships at their assembly in the autumn of 2009.
	As regards solutions, market-based measures such as emissions trading are one important area, while in the medium to long term technological improvements may also deliver savings in carbon emissions. For example, the IMO have estimated that technical measures for ship design have significant potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, which could account for up to 30 per cent. in new ships and 20 per cent. in existing ships.

Shipping: Examinations

Alistair Carmichael: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps her Department plans to take to develop the seafaring skills base.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The Government provide support for seafarer training through the tonnage tax core training commitment and through the support for maritime training (SMarT) scheme, which funds about half of seafarer training costs. These two initiatives have contributed greatly to the seafaring skills base.
	In addition to this we support the excellent work of the Merchant Navy Training Board and SeaVision in promoting maritime careers around the country.
	The number of new officer trainees claiming SMarT has increased from 480 in 1999-2000 to 650 in 2006-07. We expect final numbers for 2007-08 to be in excess of 800.
	We are also currently looking into the practicalities of the joint proposals for increased support for training and employment received from our social partners.

Shipping: Freight

Alistair Carmichael: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what targets she has set for the diversion of freight from roads to coastal shipping; and what steps her Department has taken to encourage use of coastal shipping for freight transport.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The Department seeks to encourage the modal shift of freight from roads to water in order to secure the environmental benefits that this mode can provide. We operate a Freight Facility Grant to help with the capital cost of providing water freight handling facilities and a Waterborne Freight Grant to assist companies with the operating costs associated with running water freight transport where road is the cheaper option. These schemes are open to inland waterways transport, coastal and short sea shipping.
	We also provide support to Sea and Water, an organisation which promotes the shipping of freight on coastal and inland waterways.

Shipping: Registration

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what her policy is on acceptance of ships onto the UK register, which do not meet the health and safety standards set by the International Safety of Life at Sea Convention.

Jim Fitzpatrick: Ships joining the UK register must comply with the health and safety standards set by the International Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) Convention.

Shipping: Working Conditions

Alistair Carmichael: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps her Department plans to take to improve health and safety for workers in the shipping industry.

Jim Fitzpatrick: Primary responsibility for the health and safety of workers in the shipping industry rests with their employers. The Maritime and Coastguard Agency has a responsibility for enforcement of the relevant health and safety legislation and also issues guidance on a wide range of health and safety matters. For the future, the UK is committed to implementing the provisions of the Maritime Labour Convention, including those relating to the health and safety of seafarers.

Shipping: Working Conditions

Alistair Carmichael: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment she has made of the safety implications for seafarers of exposure to emissions from ships' fuel.

Jim Fitzpatrick: Assessment of safety implications of shipboard operations is broadly a matter for the employer under the existing health and safety regime.
	In the particular case of emissions from ships fuel, the issue is currently being considered internationally through the International Maritime Organisation review of existing air pollution controls for ships. The UK is taking an active role in the review group.

Southeastern Railway: Access

David Evennett: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what applications were received from Southeastern Railway for Access For All  (a) Small Schemes and  (b) Main Schemes for 2008-09.

Tom Harris: We have received no applications for funding from Southeastern Railway for 2008-09.

Southeastern Railway: Access

David Evennett: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much funding has been given to Southeastern Railway under the Access For All Scheme since its introduction.

Tom Harris: Southeastern Trains has been offered 764,185 of Access for All Small Schemes funding since 2006. Projects worth 174,361 have been completed and the remainder are on-going.

Traffic Accidents

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport 
	(1)  how many traffic accidents involving at least one pedestrian casualty there were in each year since 1997, broken down by the smallest geographical unit by which this information is collected;
	(2)  how many traffic accidents involving at least one pedestrian casualty and road freight there were in each year since 1997, broken down by the smallest geographical unit by which this information is collected;
	(3)  how many fatal traffic accidents there were in each year since 1997, broken down by the smallest geographical unit by which this information is collected.

Jim Fitzpatrick: Tables showing information on reported personal injury road accidents involving  (a) at least one pedestrian casualty,  (b) at least one pedestrian casualty and HGV and  (c) the number of fatal road accidents in each local authority in GB for 1997 to 2006 have been deposited in the Libraries of the House.

Transport Innovation Fund

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when her Department expects to announce which Transport Innovation Fund bids will be granted programme entry.

Rosie Winterton: We have received Transport Innovation Fund proposals from Greater Manchester and Cambridgeshire which we are currently considering. We expect to announce the first decisions later this year.

Transport: Disabled

Adam Holloway: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what measures of support are in place to help those with temporary disabilities gain increased mobility and access to essential facilities.

Rosie Winterton: There has been significant progress in making public transport accessible through regulations made under the Disability Discrimination Act 1995. For a number of years all new buses, coaches and trains have had to meet accessibility standards and 58 per cent. of buses and over 40 per cent. of trains now do so. The entire national fleet of buses must meet accessibility standards by 2017, and trains must meet them by 2020. People with temporary disabilities will benefit equally from these improvements.
	In addition, transport providers are required by the Disability Discrimination Act to make reasonable adjustments to their services to make them accessible to disabled people. The Department of Transport has published best practice guidance on access to pedestrian and transport infrastructure. Designs that satisfy disabled people's requirements will also meet the needs of many other people, including those with temporary disabilities.
	As part of the Government's Railways for All strategy we have made available 370 million to Network Rail to improve station accessibility by 2015, with over 90 stations already identified for improvement by 2011.
	Recent European legislation concerning air transport and international rail transport creates new rights for disabled people and people with reduced mobility to improve the accessibility of these modes. The definition of reduced mobility would encompass temporary disabilities. The Commission plans to propose similar legislation in the areas of maritime transport and international bus and coach transport.
	We are also currently consulting on proposals to extend the blue badge scheme to people with temporary disabilities.

Transport: Finance

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much  (a) revenue support and  (b) capital allocations for (i) Hampshire, (ii) Portsmouth and (iii) Southampton for (A) urban bus challenge, (B) kick start, (C) rural safety grant and (D) detrunked roads (1) there were in each year since 2005 and (2) are planned for each of the next three years.

Rosie Winterton: The following tables sets out the revenue and capital support for these four specific funding lines that the Department has provided from 2005-06 onwards and what is planned for the next three years for Hampshire, Portsmouth and Southampton.
	No funds have been granted, or are currently planned to be awarded to any of the three authorities in the period specified for rural road safety grant, but the tables includes figures for the similarly named specific road safety grant.
	From 2008-09 onwards, the revenue support for detrunked roads and specific road safety grant will be incorporated within the general area-based grant, administered by the Department for Communities and Local Government.
	
		
			  Revenue support 
			  000 
			   2005-06  2006-07  2007-08  2008-09  2009-10  2010-11 
			  Hampshire County Council   
			 Urban bus challenge   
			 Kick-start  126.0 63.0 39.0   
			 Detrunked Roads 428.7 439.4 450.4 461.6 473.2 485.0 
			 Specific Road Safety Grant   2,160 2,245 2,237 2,202 
			  Portsmouth   
			 Specific Road Safety Grant   312.7 325.1 323.8 318.8 
			
			  Southampton   
			 Urban bus challenge  25 217 170   
			 Kick-start  204.7 132.8 85.0   
			 Specific Road Safety Grant   288.1 300.0 310.5 305.6 
		
	
	
		
			  Capital allocations 
			  000 
			   2005-06  2006-07  2007-08  2008-09  2009-10  2010-11 
			  Hampshire County Council   
			 Specific Road Safety Grant   480.6 499.6 497.6 489.9 
			
			  Portsmouth   
			 Specific Road Safety Grant   69.6 72.3 72.0 70.9 
			
			  Southampton   
			 Specific Road Safety Grant   64.1 66.7 69.1 68.0

Transport: Sustainable Development

Bob Neill: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether the project on the sustainability of land use and transport in outer neighbourhoods has been completed.

Rosie Winterton: No. This project is expected to complete in September 2008.

Transport: Tickets

John Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to the answer of 29 November 2007,  Official Report, columns 607-8W, on transport: tickets, what progress has been made to ensure smartcard readers in London are ITSO/Oyster dual-operable.

Rosie Winterton: The Department for Transport continues to work closely with Transport for London to deliver the May 2006 agreement to make the Oyster estate interoperable with the ITSO smartcard standard, and to make Oyster Pay As You Go available on national rail in London. The detailed design and scoping study is still on target to deliver a fixed price and delivery schedule in April 2008 for the roll-out of ITSO/Oyster dual-operable smartcard readers.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

Afghanistan

Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what aims and objectives he has set for British policy in Afghanistan.

Kim Howells: As my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister set out in his statement to the House on 12 December 2007,  Official Report, columns 303-07, there are four key areas of our long-term commitment in Afghanistan, including greater Afghan ownership; localisation and reconciliation; reconstruction; and greater burden sharing. This is a long-term effort: there are no quick wins.

Afghanistan

Mark Pritchard: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the outcome was of his recent discussions with the US Secretary of State on Afghanistan.

Kim Howells: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary had, in his own words excellent and intensive discussions with the US Secretary of State, followed by a joint visit to Afghanistan. As he noted, during his joint press conference with the US Secretary of State, in London on 6 February:
	Both of our countries are committed to our work in Afghanistan for the long term, we are committed to bring together the economic, social and military aspects of our work. We are committed to active support of the Afghan government as it strives to build a decent society in that very poor country, and we are committed to rallying an international alliance of many countries to effectively support the Afghan government.

Afghanistan: Asylum

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what procedures there are for processing asylum applications from locally-employed staff in Afghanistan.

Liam Byrne: I have been asked to reply.
	The 1951 United Nations Convention relating to the Status of Refugees defines a refugee as a person who is, among other things,
	outside the country of his nationality.
	An individual who remains in the country of nationality is not, by definition, a refugee and cannot seek asylum. A person who is outside the country of nationality should approach the local authorities in the third country or the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.

Afghanistan: Detainees

William Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the Answer of 4 February 2008,  Official Report, column 759W, on Afghanistan: detainees, if he will place in the Library copies of the exchange of letters between the Afghan and UK governments on access to detainees by UK officials and human rights organisations.

David Miliband: The exchange of letters is publicly available on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's Afghanistan website (www.fco.gov.uk/ukandafghanistan). I have arranged for copies to be placed in the Library of the House.

Afghanistan: Drugs

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much funding the UK allocated to  (a) the Counter Narcotics Police of Afghanistan,  (b) the Afghan Special Narcotics Force and  (c) the Counter Narcotics Criminal Justice Task Force in each of the last three years.

Kim Howells: The information requested by the hon. Member is as follows:
	
		
			   
			   2005-06  2006-07  2007-08 
			 Counter Narcotics Police of Afghanistan 8.9 million 12.1 million 8.4 million 
			 Afghan Special Narcotics Force 6.23 million 9.4 million 32.5 million 
			 Counter Narcotics Criminal Justice Task Force 572,000 1.1 million 1 million

Afghanistan: Drugs

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the division of responsibilities is between  (a) the Counter Narcotics Police of Afghanistan,  (b) the Afghan Special Narcotics Force and  (c) the Counter Narcotics Criminal Justice Task Force.

Kim Howells: The Counter Narcotics Police of Afghanistan is the leading agency for counter narcotics law enforcement in Afghanistan.
	The Afghan Special Narcotics Force's primary purpose is to assist the interdiction effort against trafficking networks throughout Afghanistan.
	The primary purpose of the counter-narcotics Criminal Justice Task Force and the Central Narcotics Tribunal is to investigate and try those arrested on drugs-related charges, based on the processes defined in the Counter-Narcotics Law of Afghanistan (2006). Article 34 of the Counter Narcotics law defines the mandate of the Counter Narcotics Tribunal under the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court of Afghanistan.

Arms Trade

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information his Department has received on alleged breaches of  (a) arms embargos and  (b) sanctions regimes by Michael Harridine; and if he will make a statement.

Kim Howells: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office received the following information in December 2000 in relation to the possible involvement of Michael Harridine in alleged breaches of sanctions.
	December 2000 Report of the Panel of Experts appointed pursuant to UN Security Council Resolution 1306, in relation to Sierra Leone (paragraph 227); and
	December 2000 Final report of the Monitoring Mechanism on Angola Sanctions established pursuant to UN Security Council Resolution 1295 (paragraphs 142-143).
	This information was passed to the relevant UK authorities.

Bangladesh: Elections

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the progress made on voter list assembly and electoral reform in Bangladesh.

Kim Howells: When my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary visited Bangladesh last week, he heard from the Chief Election Commissioner of Bangladesh that 36 million voters out of a total of approximately 80 million have now been registered. It is expected that the draft voter list will be ready by late June/July. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary stressed to the Chief Adviser of the caretaker Government, and in his public comments, the absolute necessity of holding free and fair elections by December 2008, in accordance with the caretaker Government's roadmap to elections.

Bangladesh: Human Rights

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received on the  (a) imprisonment of journalists and  (b) other human rights violations in Bangladesh.

Kim Howells: There have been reports from Bangladesh of the arrest of journalists, including Jahangir Alam Akash. Our High Commissioner raised his case when EU Heads of Mission in Dhaka met the Foreign Affairs Adviser in December 2007. Mr. Akash is currently on bail. When my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary visited Bangladesh last week, he spoke publicly of the need for adherence to basic standards of human rights. He reiterated the importance that Britain attaches to strong democratic institutions, including a free press.

Bangladesh: Trade Unions

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has made to the Government of Bangladesh on its treatment of trade unionists, with particular reference to Mehedi Hasan; and if he will make a statement.

Kim Howells: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has not made representations to the caretaker Government of Bangladesh on the specific issue of the treatment of trade unionists. We consistently emphasise to the caretaker Government the need to balance concerns for stability and security with respect for individuals' rights and freedoms, democratic processes and the rule of law.
	We are aware that Mr. Hasan was arrested on 24 January in connection with demonstrations by garment workers in the Mirpur area of Dhaka on 14 to 15 January and of reports of 100-150 people injured. Mr. Hasan was released on 3 February and all charges against him have been dropped.

Chad: Politics and Government

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment he has made of the political situation in Chad; and if he will make a statement.

Meg Munn: holding answer 7 February 2008
	The security situation in Chad remains unstable following rebel incursions into the capital, N'Djamena, on 2 February. As of 15 February, the security situation in Chad is calmer, with Chadian rebel groups having retreated from N'Djamena. However, conditions on the ground have been changing rapidly. The UN estimates that over 30,000 people were forced to flee into neighbouring Cameroon as a result of the fighting, though many are now returning. There have been eye-witness reports of widespread looting in N'Djamena.
	The UK has supported the UN in condemning attempts to seize power by force in Chad and in urging all regional states to abide by previous agreements with regard to respect for and securing of their common borders. The UN also supported the African Union in demanding an immediate end to the violence and in appointing Libyan and Congolese mediators to initiate efforts aimed at seeking a lasting solution.
	EU Ministers at the General Affairs and External Relations Council on 28 January urged:
	the Chadian and the Sudanese governments to abstain from any action that could further destabilise the current situation whilst exercising the utmost restraint and settling differences through dialogue and diplomatic channels.
	The UK has taken every opportunity to underline the need for re-establishing political dialogue, for example in my noble Friend the Minister for Africa, Asia and the UN's, the right hon. Lord Malloch-Brown, contacts at the African Union Summit with African and other interlocutors including President Bashir of Sudan.

Chevening Scholarship Programme

Ben Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer of 22 January 2008,  Official Report, columns 1850-51W, on the Chevening scholarship programme, whether he plans to reduce the number of Chevening scholarships available.

Jim Murphy: The allocation of Chevening scholarships for 2008-09 is still under consideration. The House will be informed once a decision is taken.

Departmental Internet

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many Wikipedia entries have been  (a) created and  (b) amended (i) by (A) special advisers, (B) Ministers and (C) communications officials and (ii) from IP addresses of (1) special advisers, (2) Ministers and (3) communications officials in (x) his Department and (y) its agencies since August 2005.

Meg Munn: No Wikipedia entries have been created or amended by Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) Special Advisers; FCO Ministers; or FCO communications officials, whether from IP addresses of Special Advisers; Ministers or communications officials in the FCO or its agencies, since August 2005.
	If the FCO should in future decide to create or alter Wikipedia entries, any input to such websites would be done in accordance with the civil service code. This states that civil servants should:
	use resources only for the authorised public purposes for which they are provided
	and
	make sure public money and other resources are used properly and efficiently.

Developing Countries: Elections

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps the Government are taking to support the International Foundation for Election Systems in relation into the standards of electoral practice and democracy in other countries.

Meg Munn: The UK is committed to promoting democratic principles around the world. Our approach is grounded in our upholding universal human rights standards, to which all countries are bound, giving firm support to democratic institutions, good governance and the rule of law.
	We welcome and support the work the Hansard electoral society is doing to improve standards of electoral practices abroad. We work closely with the Westminster Foundation for Democracy and the Electoral Reform International Services who are also active in this field.
	The UK participates most actively in international observation activities organised by the EU and the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe. We also participate in Election Observation Missions organised by the UN, Commonwealth and other groups. We frequently provide technical and administrative expertise to the organisers of these observation missions, as well as sending UK observers.
	Deploying election observers supports democratic processes and assists host countries to hold genuinely democratic elections.
	Further information on the Government's work on human rights, democracy and governance can be found in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's (FCO) Annual Report on Human Rights, which is available at
	www.fco.gov.uk
	Copies of the report are also available in the Library of the House. In addition, the FCO and the Department for International Development (DFID) jointly launched a DFID publication last summer, entitled Governance, Development and Democratic Politics which highlighted the value we jointly place on democratic politics as a set of principles and values which ensure that differences can be negotiated peacefully and the views of all heard.

Entry Clearances: Personation

Roger Godsiff: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many visa applications were made with the use of a false identity in the last two years for which data are available, broken down by nationality of applicant.

Kim Howells: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office does not record such data. Information could be obtained only by comparing individual visa application forms with Home Office records and this would incur disproportionate cost.

EU Internal Relations

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what  (a) representations and  (b) discussions he has had on a solidarity clause on mutual assistance between EU member states in the event of terrorist attacks or natural disasters; and if he will make a statement.

Jim Murphy: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has had no representations or discussions on the solidarity clause with other EU member states.

EU Law

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the powers which the European Public Prosecutor would have in respect of UK citizens.

Jim Murphy: A European Public Prosecutor would have no power in the UK unless we opted-in to a proposal to establish one, and we have no plans to do so. If other member states decide there is a case for a European Public Prosecutor, they are free to go ahead by enhanced co-operation, but the Prosecutor would have no role in the UK.

European Commission: Diplomatic Service

Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many members of HM Diplomatic Service were seconded to the European Commission in each of the last 10 years.

Jim Murphy: holding answer 1 February 2008
	There is currently one Diplomatic Service officer seconded to the European Commission.
	There are in addition three Diplomatic Service officers seconded to the General Secretariat of the Council and one to the European Parliament. Other Government Departments also second staff to the European Commission.
	Figures for Diplomatic Service staff seconded to the European Commission in each of the previous 10 years could be collated only at disproportionate cost.

Gaza: Electricity

William Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of electricity supply into Gaza; and if he will make a statement.

David Miliband: The Government remain deeply concerned by the humanitarian situation in Gaza. In the current season the Gaza strip requires at least 230 megawatts (MW) of power daily. The total it currently receives, when fuel supplies to the Gaza power station are not interrupted, is around 192 MW, of which approximately 55 MW is provided by the Gaza Power Generating Company (GPGC), 120 MW by Israel and 17 MW by Egypt.
	The electricity and fuel supply in recent weeks has been erratic, primarily because of the decision by the Government of Israel on 17 January to suspend all fuel deliveries into Gaza. On 20 January, the GPGC stopped producing power when its reserves became too low to continue. The UN's Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs has stated that during this time, the majority of the Gaza strip had no electricity for at least eight hours per day. Many areas suffered power cuts of up to 16 hours. Electricity cuts in the Gaza strip remain at an average of eight hours daily.

Gaza: Frontiers

William Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the composition and role of the EU border monitoring mission at Rafah is; and whether changes are planned to that role following recent breaches of the border crossing from Gaza.

David Miliband: The EU Border Assistance Mission was established on the basis of 15 November 2005 agreement on movement and access reached between Israel and the Palestinian Authority (PA). Its role is to provide a third party presence at the Rafah crossing point.
	On 13 June 2007, and following Hamas's take over of Gaza, the mission declared a temporary suspension of operations at the Rafah crossing point. It has, however, maintained its full operational capability and remained ready to monitor, verify and evaluate handling of the border crossing as soon as agreement can be reached to re-open it.
	The mission is also training PA personnel in all aspects of border control and customs operation.
	The mission includes about 41 police officers and personnel, 29 of them internationally seconded from 15 EU member states, three internationally contracted, and eight locally contracted in addition to the Head of Mission.

Homosexuality

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will support the introduction of an international convention which explicitly recognises gay rights as essential human rights; and if he will make a statement.

Meg Munn: The Government have a strong record on promoting the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people and will continue to work with both foreign partners and domestic organisations to protect the human rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people throughout the world. The Government judge that there is not sufficient consensus globally to justify pursuing an international convention at present; though it is willing to work for the engagement of countries which would produce a worthwhile such instrument.
	In the meantime, the Government consider that it can pursue equality and non-discrimination through existing human rights mechanisms, through multilateral action with like-minded partners and bilaterally. The Government consider engaging positively in any mechanism which promote these rights.

Indian Subcontinent: Official Visits

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he last visited  (a) India and  (b) Sri Lanka; and when he plans next to visit (i) India, (ii) Pakistan and (iii) Sri Lanka.

Kim Howells: Since his appointment, my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has not visited India or Sri Lanka. Foreign engagements for my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary and other Ministers are kept under constant review. It is not our practice to announce such visits until they are firm. Because of the unpredictable nature of world events, final decisions on overseas visits are often not possible until very shortly before the day of travel.

Iran: Females

David Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Iranian Government on the penalty to be imposed on sisters found guilty of adultery for being in the company of men other than their husbands in Iran.

Kim Howells: We are deeply concerned that Ms Zohreh Kabir and Ms Azar Kabiri from Shahriar in Tehran province and Mr. Abdollah Farivar from Sari in Mazandaran province in Iran have been charged with adultery and sentenced to death by stoning. The EU presidency, on behalf of all EU member states, issued a public declaration on 7 February condemning these sentences. In this statement, the EU reiterated its opposition to the death penalty in all circumstances and urged the Iranian Government
	to abolish immediately, in law and in practice, the use of stoning as a method of executionas called for in the most recent UN General Assembly resolution on the situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran, adopted by the UN General Assembly in December 2007.
	We will continue to press the Iranian authorities to uphold its international human rights commitments as described in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and to abolish cruel and degrading punishments such as stoning, flogging and amputations once and for all.

Iran: Human Rights

David Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has made to the Government of Iran on human rights.

Kim Howells: We generally raise human rights issues with the Government of Iran through the EU, in order to maximise impact and emphasise that the concerns we have are shared across a range of countries. In 2007, the EU raised human rights issues with the Iranian authorities in Tehran on 28 occasions, through meetings and statements. So far this year, the EU has raised human rights issues with the Iranian authorities five times, most recently in two statements on 7 February about death sentences and the deteriorating situation of Baha'is in Iran.
	We also discuss human rights issues bilaterally with Iranian officials in London and Tehran. In 2007, the UK raised human rights issues bilaterally on eight occasions, on issues of particular concern including the rise in the use of the death penalty, the execution of juveniles and the use of amputation.

Iran: Nuclear Power

William Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what meetings are planned between EU High Representative Javier Solana and Iranian government representatives on Iran's nuclear programme; and if he will make a statement.

David Miliband: At present there are no meetings scheduled. We have been clear with Iran that our offer of dialogue remains open, and that Javier Solana will continue to make himself available for a meeting at any time when the Iranians wish to discuss both that offer and their willingness to comply with their international obligations.

Iran: Sanctions

William Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what EU sanctions the UK is proposing should be imposed on  (a) the Iranian financial sector and  (b) investment in Iranian oil and gas as set out in the Prime Minister's speech at the Lord Mayor's Banquet on 12 November 2007; and if he will make a statement.

David Miliband: We are working with our EU partners on further sanctions to support a new UN Security Council Resolution. Proposals under consideration will include a range of measures and I will inform the House of the outcome of those negotiations as soon as I am able to do so.

Iran: Sanctions

William Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his policy is on whether the EU Common Position on Iran should include new sanctions.

David Miliband: We will be pressing for further EU measures both in the form of a new Common Position and additional listings of entities and individuals that meet the criteria set out in the existing Common Positions, in parallel with work on another UN Security Council Resolution.

Iraq: Asylum

William Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many Iraqi citizens have been  (a) admitted to the UK and  (b) awarded financial assistance under the scheme of assistance for locally engaged Iraqi staff announced by the Prime Minister on 8 October 2007.

David Miliband: No former locally-engaged Iraqi staff have yet been resettled in the UK through the Gateway programme. Following the initial assessment of eligibility, individuals need to move to a third country, register with and be recognised by the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees as refugees in need of resettlement, undergo further screening by the Border and Immigration Agency (BIA) and have suitable housing identified for them in the UK. This process takes several months, which is why we have promised financial assistance to former staff to allow them to support themselves in a third country during this process. We believe the timeframes for Gateway are comparable to similar timeframes for other countries' resettlement programmes.
	No current locally-engaged Iraqi staff have yet been granted Independent Leave to Enter. Many are still in the process of being assessed for eligibility and some already assessed as eligible have yet to express a preference about which option they wish to take. Many of those already assessed as eligible have indicated they want the financial package. Those that choose resettlement in the UK will undergo screening by BIA. Measures are in place to ensure that eligible staff are fully assisted through the scheme without unnecessary delays.
	We have already paid 34 staff the financial package in accordance with the scheme. Further awards will be made on an ongoing basis.

Iraq: Oil

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received on Iraq's contribution to global oil pollution; and if he will make a statement.

Kim Howells: We have not received any recent representations on Iraq's contribution to global oil pollution.

Kenya: Violence

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received on the causes of the recent violence in Kenya.

Meg Munn: We have received reports of the violence in Kenya from political parties, the media, civil society groups and non-governmental organisations highlighting the post-election situation, ethnic factors and criminality among other causes. The Government's priority is to end the violence and reduce the tension. Clearly any violence is unacceptable. A solution to the crisis needs to be found that reflects the democratic will of the Kenyan people.

Nuclear Fuels

William Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he next plans to discuss the proposal for an International Atomic Energy Agency-administered mechanism for reliable access to nuclear fuel with his  (a) US,  (b) EU and  (c) UN Security Council counterparts; and if he will make a statement.

David Miliband: The UK supports efforts to develop a viable regime of nuclear fuel assurances under the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) auspices that supports states' rights to safe, secure and peaceful use of nuclear technology. The UK Enrichment Bond is one such proposal. We are pursuing this agenda through a variety of bilateral and multilateral channels, including within the IAEA, with the US and our EU partners, and with a number of members of the United Nations Security Council.

Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty

William Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the UK objectives are for the second meeting of the Preparatory Committee for the 2010 Review Conference of the parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons.

David Miliband: The UK will use the Non-Proliferation Treaty 2008 Preparatory Committee to take forward work to strengthen the treaty. We will promote consensus around key measures encompassing the treaty's three pillarszero tolerance of proliferation; safe, secure and peaceful use of nuclear technology; and a reinvigorated commitment to a world free from nuclear weapons.

Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty

William Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps the UK is taking in preparation for the 2010 Non-Proliferation Review Conference on the adoption of measures governing withdrawal from the Non-Proliferation Treaty; and if he will make a statement.

David Miliband: The United Kingdom is working with partners to build consensus around measures to raise the cost of withdrawal from the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) at the 2010 review conference. These measures include automatic referral of the case of any state party seeking to withdraw from the NPT to the UN Security Council, a requirement that all material, equipment, technology and facilities acquired under NPT membership be restricted to peaceful uses and remain subject to safeguards; and that use of facilities, equipment and material supplied prior to withdrawal by third countries be frozen with a view to dismantlement and return. They are set out in full in the EU Working Paper (NPT/CONF.2010/PC.I/WP.25* available at http://www.un.org/NPT2010/documents.html) submitted at the 2007 Preparatory Committee.

Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty

Dai Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which  (a) Ministers and  (b) officials will represent the United Kingdom at the Seven Country Initiative seminar on the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty in Norway, on 26 to 27 February; and if he will post on his Department's website the United Kingdom's contribution to the seminar.

Kim Howells: The UK will take part in a seminar on nuclear disarmament to be hosted by the Government of Norway in Oslo on 26-27 February 2008, represented by two officials from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office: the Director of Defence and Strategic Threats and the Head of the Nuclear Missile Defence Policy Team. The UK has not been invited to make a presentation at the seminar.

Nuclear Weapons

William Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent progress has been made towards securing agreement of a treaty banning the production of fissile material for nuclear weapons and other nuclear explosive devices; and if he will make a statement.

David Miliband: The UK will continue to push for the start of negotiations without pre-conditions on a Fissile Material Cut-off Treaty (FMCT) and at the Conference on Disarmament (CD). My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence spoke to the conference on 5 February and highlighted the urgent need for the conference to redouble their efforts to move forward on an FMCT.
	As the holder of one of the six CD presidencies in 2008, we will work with like- minded countries to bring on board those states unable to agree to the start of negotiations in 2007. We will also continue to lobby these states directly.

Pakistan: Politics and Government

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the political situation in Pakistan.

Kim Howells: I refer the hon. Member to the statement made by my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary on 7 January 2008,  Official Report, columns 21-22, in which he set out the importance that the Government attach to free and fair elections today (18 February). A contested election result could have serious consequences for the stability and long-term democratic trajectory of Pakistan. We have therefore been calling on the Government of Pakistan to ensure full transparency in terms of election processes, media freedom and no state interference. We continue to monitor the situation closely, including through the EU Election Observer Mission, in which we are participating.

Pipelines: Natural Gas

Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment he has made of the viability of the Nabucco pipeline project; and if he will make a statement.

Meg Munn: At last year's Spring European Council, EU leaders agreed that the Nabucco project was a project of European significance as it would increase the EU's diversity of routes and sources of supply, thus improving Europe's resilience to supply disruptions.
	The UK believes that energy infrastructure projects (including pipelines, electricity/gas interconnectors and liquified natural gas terminals) should only be built where there is a sound economic and business case. It is not the job of Governments to build pipelines or other import infrastructure, but of the private sector, on the basis of commercial viability. The main function of a Government in this context is to set the right regulatory framework and to remove any unnecessary regulatory barriers, in order to facilitate energy transit and trade.

Russia: Prisoners

Mark Pritchard: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will hold discussions with the Russian Government over access to prison medical care for Vasily Alexanyan.

Jim Murphy: We welcome reports that the Russian Federal Penal Service has finally responded positively to the concerns expressed by the European Court of Human Rights, the Russian Human Rights Ombudsman and to demands that Vasily Aleksanyan be moved out of prison to a specialised clinic where he can receive vital treatment for his condition. The UK regularly raises its concerns over ongoing human rights violations, including individual cases, both bilaterally and through the EU. The next EU/Russia human rights consultations will be held on 17 April.

Serbia: EU External Relations

William Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether it is the Government's policy to support the signing of a Stabilisation and Association Agreement between Serbia and the EU.

David Miliband: The Government and the EU are committed to signing a Stabilisation and Association agreement with Serbia. This would depend on Serbia's full co-operation with the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia. The EU has agreed to establish a task force to examine ways of delivering rapid progress on this.

Serbia: EU External Relations

William Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the Government's policy is on the signing of a Stabilisation and Association Agreement between Serbia and the EU prior to the extradition of Ratko Mladic by the Serbian authorities to the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia.

David Miliband: The Serbian Government have made clear their intention to fully co-operate with the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY), including through the arrest of all four remaining ICTY indictees.
	The Government and the EU are committed to signing a Stabilisation and Association Agreement with Serbia. This would depend on Serbia's full co-operation with the ICTY. The EU has agreed to establish a Task Force to examine ways of delivering rapid progress on this.

Sexual Harassment

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many complaints of  (a) sexual harassment and  (b) sexual discrimination have been made by staff in (i) his Department and (ii) its agencies in the most recent year for which figures are available.

Meg Munn: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) and its executive agency, FCO Services, had a very small number of formal complaints of sexual harassment/discrimination made in 2007. No further details can be provided due to the need to protect the confidentiality of those involved.

Simon Mann

Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the apparent abduction to Equatorial Guinea of Simon Mann by the authorities in Zimbabwe; what representations the Government have made to both countries on his behalf; and what action it plans to take to secure his safe return.

Meg Munn: While Simon Mann was in Zimbabwe our embassy in Harare made representations at the highest level to the Zimbabwean authorities that due legal process should be followed, and received assurances that this would be the case. In the event, Simon Mann was removed from Zimbabwe without a further appeal being heard.
	Once it was confirmed that Mr. Mann had been extradited to Equatorial Guinea, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office contacted the Equatorial Guinean embassy in London on 5 February to request consular access. My noble Friend the Minister for Africa, Asia and the UN, the right hon. Lord Malloch-Brown, met with the Equatorial Guinean ambassador to the UK, Mr. Agustin Nze Nfumu, on 7 February, and telephoned the ambassador on 11 February to once again request consular access to Mr. Mann.
	Consular assistance to British nationals in Equatorial Guinea is provided by our deputy high commission in Lagos. In addition to my noble Friend the right hon. Lord Malloch-Brown's actions, our consul in Lagos travelled to the capital, Malabo, on 5 February to seek immediate access to Simon Mann and made contact with the appropriate authorities. Access was granted on 12 February.
	In seeking consular access to Simon Mann, the Government have reminded Equatorial Guinea of his right to a fair trial and of its obligation to ensure that all persons deprived of liberty shall be treated humanely and with respect for their dignity. We have received assurances to this effect.

Simon Mann

Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will summon the ambassadors of Equatorial Guinea and Zimbabwe to discuss the apparent abduction of Simon Mann from Zimbabwe to Equatorial Guinea.

Meg Munn: My noble Friend the Minister for Africa, Asia and the UN, the right hon. Lord Malloch-Brown, met with the Equatorial Guinean ambassador to the UK, Mr. Agustin Nze Nfumu, on 7 February to discuss Mr. Mann's case and request immediate consular access. He then telephoned the ambassador on 11 February to reiterate this request and stress the need for UK officials to be granted access to Mr. Mann. Consular access was granted on 12 February. UK officials will be in touch with the ambassador of Equatorial Guinea as the need arises.
	Our concerns were conveyed to the Zimbabwean ambassador prior to Mr. Mann's removal. Our primary concern at this point must be for Mr. Mann's immediate welfare.

Simon Mann

Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what sanctions the Government have considered taking against  (a) Equatorial Guinea and  (b) Zimbabwe to ensure the safe return of Simon Mann.

Meg Munn: The Government have no plans to apply sanctions on the Governments of Equatorial Guinea or Zimbabwe in response to Simon Mann's removal. Our main concern must be for Mr. Mann's immediate welfare.

Simon Mann

Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make representations to the United States Administration requesting it to exert its influence on Equatorial Guinea to secure the safe return of Simon Mann.

Meg Munn: The Government have no plans to make representations to the United States in relation to Simon Mann.
	United States officials visited Simon Mann in Black Beach Prison on 6 February 2008, at the invitation of the Equatorial Guinean authorities. While the visit by the United States afforded an opportunity to check on Mr. Mann's welfare and safety, we nevertheless made clear to the government of Equatorial Guinea that such a visit was not a substitute for UK consular access.
	UK consular access to Mr. Mann was granted on 12 February. We will continue to visit Mr. Mann in prison in line with our consular policy.

Simon Mann

Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assurances were given by Zimbabwe to Her Majesty's Ambassador that Simon Mann would not be transferred to Equatorial Guinea before the conclusion of his appeal process.

Meg Munn: Our embassy in Harare received assurances from the Zimbabwean Ministry of Foreign Affairs, including from the Acting Permanent Secretary, that due process would be followed regarding Mr. Mann's extradition. We understand from Mr. Mann's lawyer that he had indicated an intention to further appeal his extradition. In the event, Mr. Mann was removed from Zimbabwe without a further appeal being heard.

Simon Mann

Iain Duncan Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on Simon Mann and his treatment in  (a) Zimbabwe and  (b) Equatorial Guinea.

Meg Munn: British consular officials were allowed regular access to Simon Mann during his imprisonment in Harare and any concerns about his conditions were raised directly with the Zimbabwean authorities.
	British consular officials visited Mr. Mann in prison in Malabo on 12 February. We have no reason to believe he has been mistreated in Equatorial Guinea. We will nevertheless seek to ensure that his treatment is in line with international standards.
	In seeking consular access to Mr. Mann, the Government have reminded Equatorial Guinea of his right to a fair trial and of its obligation to ensure that all persons deprived of liberty shall be treated humanely and with respect for their dignity. We have received assurances to this effect.
	We will continue to visit Mr. Mann in prison in line with our consular policy.

Simon Mann

Iain Duncan Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the Government have made representations to Equatorial Guinea on Simon Mann's treatment; and if he will make a statement.

Meg Munn: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office contacted the Equatorial Guinean embassy in London on 5 February to request consular access, once it was confirmed that Mr. Mann had been extradited from Zimbabwe to Equatorial Guinea.
	My noble Friend the Minister for Africa, Asia and the UN, the right hon. Lord Malloch-Brown, met with the Equatorial Guinean ambassador to the UK, Mr. Agustin Nze Nfumu, on 7 February, and telephoned the ambassador on 11 February to once again request consular access to Mr. Mann.
	Consular assistance to British nationals in Equatorial Guinea is provided by our Deputy High Commission in Lagos. Our consul in Lagos travelled to the capital, Malabo, on 5 February to seek immediate access to Mr. Mann and made contact with the Equatorial Guinean Minister of Foreign Affairs, Prime Minister and Minister of Justice. Access was granted on 12 February.
	In seeking consular access to Mr. Mann, the Government have reminded Equatorial Guinea of his right to a fair trial and of its obligation to ensure that all persons deprived of liberty shall be treated humanely and with respect for their dignity. We have received assurances to this effect.

Simon Mann

Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information he has on the circumstances under which Simon Mann was transferred from Zimbabwe to Equatorial Guinea.

Meg Munn: The exact circumstances of Simon Mann's removal from Zimbabwe to Equatorial Guinea remain unclear.
	Mr. Mann was last known to be in Chikurubi prison on Wednesday 30 January. On 5 February, the Government of Equatorial Guinea confirmed that he had been transferred to their custody.

Simon Mann

Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what legal advice he has obtained about the  (a) current status of Simon Mann in captivity in Equatorial Guinea and  (b) steps which the Government can take in international courts to secure his return.

Meg Munn: It is not the Government's practice to disclose whether they have sought legal advice on a particular issue. Simon Mann is subject to legal proceedings under domestic Equatorial Guinean law. The conduct of those proceedings is a matter for Mr. Mann and his lawyers. We continue to provide Mr. Mann with assistance in line with our consular policy.

Simon Mann

Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reasons he has been given for the refusal by the Government of Equatorial Guinea of access to Simon Mann by  (a) lawyers and  (b) UK diplomats.

Meg Munn: British consular officials were granted access and visited Simon Mann in prison on 12 February. We will continue to provide Mr. Mann with consular assistance.
	We have been given assurances by the Equatorial Guinean authorities that Mr. Mann will be free to appoint a lawyer.

Simon Mann

Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which members of his Department are in Equatorial Guinea with the task of protecting the interests of Simon Mann; and how long it is planned that they shall stay for that purpose.

Meg Munn: Our deputy high commission in Lagos provides consular assistance to British nationals in Equatorial Guinea. Once it was confirmed that Simon Mann was in Equatorial Guinea our consul in Lagos travelled to Malabo and sought immediate consular access to him. We were granted access and visited Mr. Mann in prison on 12 February. Our consul has now returned to Lagos. The consul will make further visits to Malabo in future to visit Mr. Mann in prison and provide consular assistance. We also have an honorary consul in Malabo who can provide consular assistance.

Somalia: Armed Conflict

William Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the security situation in north-eastern Somalia following the recent attack on the port of Bossaso.

David Miliband: The security situation in north-eastern Somalia remains unstable. The recent attack on the port of Bossaso demonstrates the indiscriminate nature of attacks that can take place in Somalia, and the limited capacity of the Somali authorities to prevent such attacks.
	The Government contribute to international efforts aimed at assisting the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia to establish the rule of law, and to build functioning institutions that will enable them to tackle insecurity effectively.

Somalia: Peacekeeping Operations

Keith Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what proposals the UK has put forward for strengthening the African Union Mission in Somalia.

Meg Munn: The Government support the strengthening of the African Union Mission in Somalia. The International Contact Group on Somalia, of which the UK is a member, called for the full and timely deployment of the AU Mission during their most recent meeting in Addis Ababa on 30 January 2008.
	The UK's financial commitment in supporting the African Union Mission in Somalia during the financial year 2007-08 is 8,300,000. This includes support for Ugandan and Burundian deployments and planned support for Nigerian deployment during 2008, which will strengthen the African Union Mission in Somalia's capability on the ground.
	On 18 January, the African Union Peace and Security Council renewed the mandate of the AU Mission for a further six months. The UK is currently sponsoring a new UN Security Council Resolution to endorse that mandate.

Somalia: Peacekeeping Operations

Mark Pritchard: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will hold discussions with the Chairman of the African Union about its members providing support and assistance for the African Mission in Somalia.

Meg Munn: The Government welcome the appointment of Jakaya Kikwete, the President of the Republic of Tanzania, as the new chairperson of the African Union, during the African Union Summit held from 31 January to 2 February 2008.
	Ministers discussed the African Union Mission in Somalia with the previous chairperson of the African Union, President Kufuor of Ghana, on several occasions. Support and assistance by African Union members for the African Union Mission in Somalia is a key issue that Ministers will wish to raise with the new chairperson at the earliest opportunity.

Sri Lanka: Human Rights

Phyllis Starkey: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports the Government have received about allegations of the involvement of Colonel Karuna in the massacre of Sri Lankan police officers.

Kim Howells: We are aware of reports of the massacre of approximately 600 police officers by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Ealam (LTTE) in eastern Sri Lanka in 1990. Vinayagmoorthy Muralitharan (also known as Colonel Karuna) was reportedly a senior LTTE figure in the east at this time. The UK has continually expressed deep concern about the human rights situation in Sri Lanka.

Sudan: Peacekeeping Operations

Tom Clarke: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the timetable is for full implementation of the United Nations-African Union Mission in Darfur and what assessment he has made of the reasons for the delay in implementation.

Meg Munn: We are working very closely with the UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations and the African Union to help achieve the goal of the UN-African Union hybrid mission in Darfur's full deployment as soon as practicable. This will be extremely challenging as not all outstanding shortfalls, particularly helicopter capacity, have yet been filled. The UN-African Union hybrid mission in Darfur's deployment to Darfur is one of the most complex and logistically difficult that the UN has ever undertaken.

Sudan: Peacekeeping Operations

Keith Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer of 29 January 2008,  Official Report, column 225W, on Sudan: peacekeeping operations, what plans he has to convene a further meeting on provision of the requisite units for the joint UN-AU hybrid force for Darfur.

Meg Munn: The UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations meets regularly with UN member states in New York to discuss the joint UN-African Union hybrid force in Darfur. Following two meetings we arranged in January to focus on helicopters, in close conjunction with the UN Department of Peace Keeping Operations, we currently have no plans for further meetings on this topic. We continue to support all the UN Department of Peace Keeping Operations' efforts to generate and deploy an effective force in Darfur.

Sudan: Politics and Government

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether his Department has received reports of senior members of the Janjaweed Arab Militia being advisers or members of the Sudanese Government; and if he will make a statement.

Meg Munn: The Sudanese Government has announced that it has appointed Arab leader Musa Hilal as an adviser to the Minister of Federal Affairs. My noble Friend the Minister for Africa, Asia and the UN, the right Lord Malloch-Brown, raised UK concerns over the appointment of Musa Hilal in meetings with representatives of the Government of Sudan that he met during his visit to Sudan on 28-31 January. He made clear that the appointment was inappropriate as Musa Hilal is subject to UN sanctions. We pressed for UN action on Musa Hilal's appointment at the UN Sanctions Committee on 1 February.

Weapons: Proliferation

William Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the progress of EU member states in implementing effective export, transit, trans shipment and re-export controls, including appropriate laws and regulations in relation to counter-proliferation, as called for in EU Council Common Position 2005/329/PESC of 25 April 2005.

David Miliband: The EU Council Common Position 2005/329/PESC of 25 April 2005 relates to the 2005 Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT). The UK and other EU member states take seriously the need to ensure rigorous implementation of effective export, transit, transhipment and re-export controls in order to strengthen the international non-proliferation system, including the NPT. We regularly discuss with EU and other partners ways to enhance national and international efforts to counter proliferation, including, inter alia, by strengthening the NPT and export control regimes such as the Nuclear Suppliers Group, in which all EU member states participate.

Western Sahara: Human Rights

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he expects the report to the UN Human Rights Council on the Western Sahara and refugee camps at Tindouf, completed in September 2006, to be published.

Kim Howells: The UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) visited Morocco, Western Sahara and Algeria in May to June 2006 to gather information on the human rights situation. The OHCHR shared its report privately with Morocco, Algeria and the Polisario in September 2006. The UN maintains its decision not to make the report public and we do not therefore expect the report to be published more widely.

Zimbabwe: Sanctions

Barry Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the sanctions against President Mugabe of Zimbabwe and other members of the Zimbabwean Government are intended to apply to access to educational opportunities in the UK for Zimbabwean nationals; and if he will make a statement.

Meg Munn: The EU Common Position's targeted measures comprise a travel ban and assets freeze on Robert Mugabe and 130 other Zimbabweans. All members of Mugabe's Cabinet and ZANU-PF's Politburo are included, together with governors, heads of security forces, election officials and others associated with abuses. Other Zimbabwean nationals who are not subject to these targeted measures and who intend to come to the UK in order to study must meet the relevant requirements of the immigration rules.

JUSTICE

A v. Hoare

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what implications the House of Lords' ruling in A  v . Hoare has on the lapse of time after which cases may not be brought for battery and common assault  (a) under common law and  (b) under military law; and if he will make a statement.

Bridget Prentice: The recent ruling by the House of Lords in the cases of A  v. Hoare, C(FC)  v. Middlesbrough council, X(FC) and another (FC)  v. London borough of Wandsworth, H(FC)  v. Suffolk county council and Young (FC)  v. Catholic Care (Diocese of Leeds) considered the limitation periods for bringing an action for damages for personal injury in the civil courts.
	These periods, which are set out in the Limitation Act 1980, do not relate to the prosecution of criminal offences under criminal or military law such as battery and common assault.
	The Government are carefully considering the implications of the ruling for civil claims.

ClearSprings

Derek Wyatt: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what process was followed by which ClearSprings was given authority to operate on a site in Kemsley; and if he will make a statement.

David Hanson: The Ministry of Justice awarded a contract for the Bail Accommodation and Support Service in England and Wales to ClearSprings Management Ltd. in June 2007. The contract is managed in each region by the Regional Offender Manager, who determines the requirement for property based on the distribution of prisoner origins in the region. ClearSprings consult the police and the local authority in the acquisition of all properties. No objections were raised in relation to the house in Kemsley.

Coroners

Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what plans he has to reform the coroner service in England and Wales; and if he will make a statement.

Bridget Prentice: The Government remain committed to reform of the coroner system and a Bill will be brought before Parliament as soon as time allows. We will introduce measures ahead of legislation which will help to achieve one of the fundamental aims of the Bill in providing a better service for bereaved families. These include strengthening Rule 43 of the Coroners Rules 1984 to help prevent future deaths, revising the Charter for the Bereaved for a reformed service, and working with the Press Complaints Commission to establish whether their code of practice for editors could be refined for the benefit of bereaved families.

Cross-Party Committee

Patrick Cormack: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many times the Cross-Party Committee on the House of Lords has met since November 2007; and if he will publish the minutes of those meetings.

Jack Straw: The cross-party working group on House of Lords reform has met three times since November 2007. The Government have no plans to publish the minutes of the Group's meetings. It is important that that the members of the cross-party group are able to debate the policy options for reform vigorously in order to expose the advantages and disadvantages of these options and to fully understand their implications. It is in the public interest that these discussions can take place away from public scrutiny.

Departmental ICT

Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many  (a) mobile telephones,  (b) personal digital assistants and  (c) laptop computers issued to his Department's staff have been reported (i) lost, (ii) missing and (iii) stolen in each year since 2001.

Michael Wills: The information requested on laptops reported lost, stolen and missing, is as follows:
	
		
			   Lost  Missing  Stolen 
			 2001 1 1 12 
			 2002 1 5 19 
			 2003 0 3 13 
			 2004 0 2 25 
			 2005 0 2 18 
			 2006 2 4 21 
			 2007 4 9 27 
		
	
	The losses were from a variety of locations across England and Wales.
	The Department does not hold a comprehensive central record for mobile telephones and personal digital assistants. Details taken from available records are as follows:
	
		
			  Mobile phones 
			   Stolen  Lost 
			 2001 3 2 
			 2002 10 5 
			 2003 11 19 
			 2004 7 30 
			 2005 3 24 
			 2006 13 19 
			 2007 9 17 
		
	
	
		
			  Personal digital assistants 
			   Stolen  Lost 
			 2003 0 1

Departmental Reorganisation

Neil Gerrard: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how responsibility for property costs was allocated between his Department and the Home Office after the restructuring of the Department's responsibilities.

David Hanson: Responsibility for property costs for the National Offender Management Service and the Prison and Probation Estates rests with the Ministry of Justice and those for the Home Office estate with the Home Office.

Driving Under Influence

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many convictions there were for drink driving offences in  (a) Romford,  (b) Essex and  (c) Greater London in 2007.

Maria Eagle: Available information held on convictions for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs for the year 2005 (latest available) is provided in the following table. Information is available at police force area level only. 2006 data will be available later this year. 2007 data will be available next year.
	The data provided covers both drink and drugs offences combined, as volumes of convictions for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs cannot be accurately established.
	
		
			  Findings of guilt at all courts for offences of driving etc after consuming alcohol or taking drugs( 1) , within Essex and Greater London( 2) , 2005 
			   Number of offences 
			 Essex police force area 2,549 
			 Greater London(2) 13,071 
			 (1) Data provided covers summary offences of driving etc. after consuming alcohol or taking drugs (which cannot be distinguished separately).  (2) City of London and Metropolitan police forces combined.   Notes:  1. It is known that for some police force areas the reporting of court proceedings, in particular those relating to summary motoring offences, may be less than complete.  2. Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by the courts and police forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used.

Drugs: Driving Under Influence

Mark Hunter: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many convictions for drug-driving took place  (a) in England and  (b) in each police authority area in each year since 1997.

Maria Eagle: Available information held on convictions for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs from 1997 to 2005 (latest available) is provided in the following table. 2006 data will be available later this year.
	The data provided cover both drink and drugs offences combined, as volumes of convictions and custodial sentences for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs cannot be accurately established.
	
		
			  Findings of guilt at all courts for offences of driving etc. after consuming alcohol or taking drugs( 1) , England and by police force are a , 1997  to  2005 
			  Number of offences 
			   Findings of guilt 
			  Police force area  1997  1998  1999  2000  2001  2002  2003  2004  2005 
			 Avon and Somerset 2,812 2,566 2,728 2,462 2,197 2,401 2,666 2,692 2,595 
			 Bedfordshire 1,146 1,060 869 797 914 955 1,072 1,028 1,050 
			 Cambridgeshire 1,092 1,060 941 793 813 852 933 1,083 1,214 
			 Cheshire 1,969 1,903 1,827 1,652 1,529 1,993 1,905 2,128 1,709 
			 Cleveland 926 870 811 111 887 921 981 1.071 959 
			 Cumbria 931 856 871 806 761 768 843 907 853 
			 Derbyshire 1,612 1,547 1,463 1,417 1,411 1,465 1,617 1,874 1,645 
			 Devon and Cornwall 2,342 2,265 2,277 2,199 2,369 2,441 2,667 2,560 2,446 
			 Dorset 1,214 1,186 1,120 1,115 1,150 1,199 1,264 1,239 1,207 
			 Durham 1,044 1,035 1,137 1,124 1,097 1,136 1,170 1.277 1,168 
			 Essex 2,736 2,438 2,528 2,462 2,456 2,522 2,622 2,853 2,549 
			 Gloucestershire 1,067 985 889 804 865 926 890 913 834 
			 Greater Manchester 4,806 4,715 4,850 4,801 4,715 4,720 4,743 4,811 4,653 
			 Hampshire 3,774 3,597 3,725 3,472 3,464 3,846 3,663 3,743 3,372 
			 Hertfordshire 1,670 1,672 1,679 1,552 1,666 1,894 1,904 1,881 1,836 
			 Humberside 1,274 1,358 1,323 1,371 1,259 1,395 1,445 1,623 1,592 
			 Kent 2,321 2,627 2,633 2,592 2,575 2,745 2,811 3,010 2,907 
			 Lancashire 3,389 2,945 3,010 2,584 2,304 2,599 2,652 2,706 2,723 
			 Leicestershire 1,648 1,485 1,624 1,531 1,546 1,659 1,725 1,754 1,631 
			 Lincolnshire 1,088 979 941 816 877 847 1,111 1,209 1,176 
			 London, City of 436 301 236 162 162 221 230 169 184 
			 Merseyside 2,719 2,451 2,137 2,128 2,195 2,293 2,687 2,849 2,964 
			 Metropolitan Police 16,165 13,889 12,414 11,801 11,260 12,905 12,621 13,227 12,887 
			 Norfolk 1,116 1,118 1,010 935 1,143 1,220 1,274 1,240 1,265 
			 Northamptonshire 1,107 1,062 1,058 782 399 236 799 922 853 
			 Northumbria 2,625 2,457 2,463 2,621 2,529 2,588 2,747 2,675 2,561 
			 North Yorkshire 1,365 1,205 1,124 1,073 1,066 1,119 1,194 1,131 1,244 
			 Nottinghamshire 2,031 1,804 1,802 1,722 1,598 1,420 1,644 1,669 1,626 
			 South Yorkshire 2,296 2,002 1,927 2,122 2,020 1,945 2,089 2,224 2,220 
			 Staffordshire(2) 2,036 1,955 1,711 n/a 1,513 1,704 1,733 1,733 1,718 
			 Suffolk 1,050 1,042 1,089 902 920 1,105 1,213 1,332 1,103 
			 Surrey 1,380 1,328 1,417 1,539 1,592 1,614 1,464 1,425 1,503 
			 Sussex 2,373 2,113 2,224 2,112 2,358 2,306 2,430 2,368 2,379 
			 Thames Valley 4,070 3,896 3,725 3,496 3,275 4,317 3,884 3,539 3,474 
			 Warwickshire 837 784 856 786 880 841 918 845 871 
			 West Mercia 1,947 1,794 1,747 1,631 1,740 1,719 1,797 1,689 1,917 
			 West Midlands 6,351 5,582 4,775 4,559 4,914 5,050 5,233 5,584 5,693 
			 West Yorkshire 3,953 3,669 3,597 3,375 3,220 3,564 3,720 3,897 3,863 
			 Wiltshire 1,043 1,108 1,009 930 1,045 1,005 1,031 1,024 1,038 
			 England 93,761 86,709 83,567 79,671 78,684 84,456 87,392 89,904 87,482 
			   
			 Dyfed Powys 1,029 995 944 858 867 927 995 986 932 
			 Gwent 1,166 1,203 1,079 1,211 1,152 1,074 1,149 1,188 1,129 
			 North Wales 1,354 1,306 1,248 1,332 1,227 1,270 1,326 1,349 1,364 
			 South Wales 2,892 2,903 2,526 2,757 2,812 2,761 2,840 2,811 2,811 
			 Wales 6,441 6,407 5,797 6,158 6,058 6,032 6,310 6,334 6,236 
			   
			 England and Wales 100,202 93,116 89,364 85,829 84,742 90,488 93,702 96,238 93,718 
			 n/a = Not available (1) Data provided cover summary offences of driving etc. after consuming alcohol or taking drugs (which cannot reliably be distinguished separately). (2) Staffordshire police force were only able to submit sample data for persons proceeded against and convicted in the magistrates courts for the year 2000. Although sufficient to estimate higher orders of data, these data are not robust enough at a detailed level and have been excluded from the table.  Notes: 1. It is known that for some police force areas, the reporting of court proceedings in particular those relating to summary motoring offences, may be less. 2. Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by the courts and police forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when these data are used.

Electoral Administration Act 2006

Andrew Tyrie: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what timetable he has set for ending double-reporting of donations by hon. Members; and for what reasons the implementation of sections 59(3) and 59(4) of the Electoral Administration Act 2006 has been delayed.

Jack Straw: This provision cannot be brought into force until the Electoral Commission informs me that it is content that the information it would receive from the House Authorities would be sufficiently complete. That is, the information received must be the same as that which the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 currently requires Members who have received donations to provide to the Electoral Commission.
	I understand that discussions between the Electoral Commission and the House Authorities are continuing with a view to enabling the Electoral Commission to confirm that this provision can be commenced.

Electoral Commission

Andrew Tyrie: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what contribution his Department plans to make to the Electoral Commission's research on the political levy and political funds.

Jack Straw: The Ministry of Justice has no plans to contribute to any such research.

Electoral Role Databases

Bob Neill: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice which public authorities, other than local authorities, police forces and the Electoral Commission, have access to the full versions of electoral role databases.

Michael Wills: The Representation of the People (England and Wales) Regulations 2001 (S.I.2001/341), and the Representation of the People (Scotland) Regulations 2001 (S.I.2001/497), as amended, set out the regulatory regime governing access to the full electoral register in Great Britain. Under part 6 of each set of regulations, relevant parts of the full register may be supplied by an electoral registration officer, to certain persons and bodies, for use for specific purposes, including crime prevention and enforcement of criminal law. Part 6 also allows the register to be supplied to persons whose entitlement arises from another enactment.
	In addition to local authorities, police forces, the Electoral Commission and Government Departments, the other public bodies specified as being entitled to be supplied with copies of relevant parts of, or the whole of, the full register under the regulations cited above are:
	The Boundary Commission
	The British Library
	The National Library for Scotland
	Other Public Libraries
	Environment Agency
	Financial Service Authority
	National Library Services
	The Office of National Statistics
	Any office designated by the Lord Chancellor under section 3(1) of the Juries Act 1974
	The Security Service, the Secret Intelligence Service and GCHQ (may be supplied with the full register for the full range of their statutory functions)
	National Criminal Intelligence Service
	National Crime Squad
	Police Information Technology Organisation
	Other private persons and organisations that have a right to be supplied with copies of the full electoral register are:
	Candidates, Local Constituency Parties and Registered Political Parties
	Credit Reference Agencies
	Members of Parliament, Members of the European Parliament, Members of the National Assembly of Wales, Scottish Parliament, local councillors, London Assembly Members, Mayor of London and other elected Mayors as set out in section 39(1) of Local Government Act 1999.

Intimidation

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many cases of bullying have been reported in  (a) his Department and  (b) its agencies in each of the last 12 months.

Maria Eagle: In the period January 2007 to December 2007 the following number of formal complaints on the grounds of bullying were received:
	
		
			   Number of formal complaints 
			 Ex-Department of Constitutional Affairs 12 
			 National Offender Management Service 2 
			 Office of Criminal Justice Reform 0 
			 Total 14 
		
	
	The public sector Prison Service does not hold the information centrally in the format requested. This could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
	 Ex-DCA:
	The Ministry applies three policies that address the issue of bullying; grievance, conduct, and equality and diversity.
	The Grievance Policy contains a specific sub-section on dealing with complaints about bullying that breach equality and diversity requirements. All such complaints are referred to Human Resources for advice, and will almost always result in the appointment of an independent officer to investigate. Grievances will be dealt with promptly and in confidence.
	The Conduct Policy sets out the standard of behaviour that is expected of all staff. Discriminatory or unacceptable behaviour such as bullying, harassment, victimisation or unwanted verbal and non-verbal contact is not tolerated. Staff are expected to behave in an acceptable manner and be responsible for their actions. Their responsibilities are to:
	respect the dignity of others
	ensure their own behaviour does not constitute harassment, bullying or victimisation of others where unacceptable behaviour takes place, take action to stop it and/or inform their managers.
	Bullying is characterised in the policy using the ACAS definition:
	Bullying may be characterised as offensive, intimidating, malicious or insulting behaviour, an abuse or misuse of power through means intended to undermine, humiliate, denigrate or injure the recipient.
	Bullying or harassment may be by an individual against an individual (perhaps by someone in a position of authority such as a manager or supervisor) or involve groups of people. It may be obvious or may be insidious. Whatever form it takes, it is unwarranted and unwelcome to the individual.
	The Equality and Diversity Policy is based on the principle of establishing practices to eradicate unacceptable behaviour such as harassment and bullying, and stresses the stance taken by the Ministry of zero tolerance.
	In recent years all staff were trained in raising awareness of equality and diversity issues, and Workplace Mediation was introduced across the Department. This offered an informal way of resolving disputes between people who work together, with the assistance of trained mediators.
	 Prison Service:
	The public sector Prison Service does not tolerate bullying in the workplace. Formal complaints of staff bullying are investigated in accordance with Prison Service Order (PSO) 1300 'Investigations', which contains detailed guidance on the conduct of all types of investigations; and PSO 8460 'Conduct and Discipline', which sets out the procedures for dealing with staff misconduct.
	PSO 8460 identifies bullying as behaviour which constitutes gross misconduct (i.e. misconduct which is so serious as to make any further relationship and trust between the Service and the member of staff concerned impossible) and, depending on the circumstances of the case, may result in dismissal from the Service.
	Responsibility for commissioning investigations into staff complaints and for deciding whether or not to instigate formal disciplinary proceedings has been devolved to a local level.
	Central co-ordination of formal investigations within the public sector Prison Service is managed through the Professional Standards Unit's Investigation Support Section (ISS). Whenever a formal investigation is established, ISS must be informed, as soon as possible, so that the investigation can be registered on the ISS database. This database contains details of the types and locations of formal investigations, their status and outcomes. Records of informal investigations are not held centrally, this information is maintained at a local level by governing governors and heads of group.
	Bullying is not separately identified as a type of investigation on the ISS database. Instead, complaints of bullying could be investigated as allegations of 'inappropriate behaviour between staff' or 'harassment'.
	ISS records show that at least 56 formal disciplinary investigations into allegations of inappropriate behaviour and harassment were commissioned during the 12 month period to 31 January 2008. A breakdown of these is shown in the following table. However, ISS cannot confirm with any certainty whether or not the original complaint was related to staff bullying. In order to confirm how many cases of bullying were reported, we would need to contact each of our headquarters groups and our 127 public sector Prison Service establishments and ask them to check their local records. This would incur disproportionate cost.
	
		
			  Formal  investigations into alleged inappropriate behaviour and/or harassment( 1) 
			   Number of investigations 
			 February 2007 3 
			 March 2007 6 
			 April 2007 0 
			 May 2007 7 
			 June 2007 2 
			 July 2007 6 
			 August 2007 3 
			 September 2007 8 
			 October 2007 6 
			 November 2007 6 
			 December 2007 4 
			 January 2008 5 
			 Total 56 
			 (1) Data has been sourced from the ISS database and was correct as at 5 February 2008. It does not include simple inquiries or informal investigations.

Judges: Ethnic Groups

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many  (a) female and  (b) ethnic minority judges were appointed in 2007; and if he will make a statement.

Jack Straw: The judicial database shows that 159 salaried and fee-paid judges were appointed to the courts in the calendar year 2007. Of these 48 (30.2 per cent.) were women. 107 of the appointees answered the question about their ethnicity and of these nine (8.4 per cent.) described their ethnicity as other than white.
	In the same period, 266 people were appointed to salaried or fee-paid office in tribunals, of whom 94 (35.3 per cent.) were women. 174 of the appointees answered the question about their ethnicity and of these 24 (13.8 per cent.) described their ethnicity as other than white.

Knutsford Crown Court

George Osborne: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many cases were heard by Knutsford Crown court in each of the last five years.

Maria Eagle: The number of cases either committed or sent for trial, committed for sentence or appealing against a magistrates court's decision which were disposed of at Knutsford Crown court during the last five years are listed in the following table.
	
		
			   Trials  Sentences  Appeals 
			 2007 352 149 124 
			 2006 370 165 100 
			 2005 317 156 70 
			 2004 349 158 70 
			 2003 370 119 83

Limitation Act 1980

Derek Wyatt: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice if he will make an assessment of the implications of the recent House of Lords ruling in A  v. Hoare for the provisions of the Limitation Act 1980.

Bridget Prentice: The Government are carefully considering the recent ruling by the House of Lords in the cases of A  v. Hoare, C(FC)  v. Middlesbrough council, X(FC) and another (FC)  v. London borough of Wandsworth, H(FC)  v. Suffolk county council and Young (FC)  v. Catholic Care (Diocese of Leeds). This is in the context of our proposed consultation on the text of a draft Bill to implement the Law Commission's recommendations for the reform of the Limitation Act 1980 as a whole.

Macclesfield Magistrates Court

George Osborne: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many cases are due to be heard by Macclesfield magistrates court; and how long on average the waiting period was before a case was heard by the court in the latest period for which figures are available.

Maria Eagle: As at 7 February 2008, there are 58 adult trials and two youth trials outstanding at Macclesfield magistrates court. As a result of the implementation of the Criminal Justice Simple Speedy Summary (CJSSS) programme in Macclesfield, there is not a backlog of cases. This information has been supplied directly from the court.
	The following table sets out estimates for the average time taken between the recorded date on which a defendant commits an offence to the date on which the defendant's case is first considered by a magistrates court for 2007. Information is not available for Macclesfield magistrates court separately. However, estimates have been provided for the Vale Royal Clerkship which includes combined information for Macclesfield magistrates court and Northwich magistrates court.
	The figures are from the Time Intervals Survey (TIS) and are based on defendants (adults and youths) in all criminal cases that were proceeded against in the magistrates courts.
	
		
			  Average time taken between date of offence to first listing for all defendants in completed criminal cases in magistrates courts, information for Vale Royal Clerkship and England and Wales, 2007 
			   Estimated average number of days from offence to first listing in magistrates court  Margin of error (+/- days)  Sample size (number of defendants) 
			 Vale Royal Clerkship 117 11 147 
			 England and Wales 117 1 59,353 
			  Notes: 1. Results are based on proceedings in one sample week in March and September. The Time Intervals Survey (TIS) is a sample survey that produces estimates of the average time taken between stages of proceedings for defendants in completed criminal cases in magistrates courts. More information on TIS is available on the Ministry of Justice website. 2. The margin of error is a measure of the precision of a result based on a sample survey. The true value is likely to fall within the range of the sample result +/- the margin of error. 3. 'First listing' refers to the first listed hearing of the case in the magistrates court. 4. Information is provided for the Vale Royal Clerkship which covers Macclesfield and Northwich magistrates courts. It is not possible to give estimates for 2007 for Macclesfield magistrates court separately.  Source: Time Intervals Survey (TIS), Ministry of Justice.

National Offender Management Service

Neil Gerrard: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many staff in the National Offender Management Service were involved in the central commissioning and contestability programme and whether this includes numbers at an area level.

David Hanson: Reporting to the Director of Commissioning and Partnerships, the central Commissioning and Contestability Programme Unit is responsible for the development of the National Offender Management Service (NOMS) commissioning and contestability policy and for supporting implementation by NOMS national, regional and local commissioners.
	As at 24 January 2008, the total number of staff within the commissioning and contestability programme unit was 19.6 full-time equivalents all based at NOMS headquarters in London.

North East

Bill Etherington: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many full-time equivalent civil servants were employed by his Department in  (a) Sunderland,  (b) Tyne and Wear and  (c) the North East region in each year since 2000.

Maria Eagle: The available figures are in the following table. Data for the Former Department for Constitutional Affairs are available for the North East Region, but are not available for Tyne and Wear and Sunderland. Figures are collated by the Office for National Statistics from Departmental Returns.
	Information on the number of full-time equivalent staff employed by the public sector Prison Service in the North East region each year since 2000 are also in the following table. The public sector Prison Service does not employ any staff in either Sunderland or Tyne and Wear.
	
		
			  Staff in post 
			  F ull-time equivalents 
			   2000  2001  2002  2003  2004  2005  2006 
			 Department for Constitutional Affairs (excl. Agencies)(1,)( )(4) 0 0 0 0 20 10 10 
			 HM Courts Service(1) 0 0 0 360 350 350 970 
			 Tribunals(1,)( )(3) 0 0 0 0 0 0 130 
			 Lord Chancellor's Department (excl. Agencies)(1) 130 340 360 10 0 0 0 
			 Public Sector Prison Service(2) 3,239.0 3,246.5 3,303.5 3,479.0 3,684.2 3,578.4 3,511.2 
			 (1) Figures as at 1 April each year, except for 2006 where figures are as at 30 September. (2) Figures as at 31 March each year. (3) From 1 April 2006, Tribunals became an executive agency of the Department for Constitutional Affairs. (4) In 2003, the Department for Constitutional Affairs (DCA) was created to take over the role of the Lord Chancellor's Department.  Note: The latest period for which the statistics are available is the year to September 2006 and so pre-date the creation of the Ministry of Justice

Offender Services

Nick Herbert: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what the value is of new contracts for offender services let by probation boards to private and third sector providers in each of the last five years, in terms of  (a) annual value and  (b) value over the life of the contract.

Jack Straw: Probation Boards have not been required to provide detailed information with regard to the value of sub-contracts awarded to private and third sector providers as detailed in the question. However, there was an initiative by NOMS in the period 2006-07 to identify, from then to March 2008, what percentage of sub-contracts existed in probation areas in England and Wales. This was also to provide NOMS with a view as to which private and third sector providers Probation Boards were sub-contracted with and the range of offender services provided. Information gathered in 2006-07 indicated that Probation Boards had at that time contracts with a range of providers from the private and third sector. The total amount of these contracts was approximately 25 million, with contracts starting from 89 to the highest value of 874,147 in that year. In 2007-08 total contracts amounted to approximately 28 million. The value of these contracts ranges between 360 and 613,500. The total value over the life of the contract cannot be reliably given due to the fact that many contracts are annual but had been renewed annually for many years.

Offenders

Dominic Grieve: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what number and proportion of accused people whose cases were discontinued in the interests of justice were convicted of a further offence within two years of that discontinuation in the most recent period for which figures are available.

Maria Eagle: The information is not available. The published statistics on reoffending do not include reoffending after cases have been discontinued.

Offenders: Ethnic Groups

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice whether there are any programmes for which his Department is responsible which are made available only to ethnic minority offenders; and if he will make a statement.

David Hanson: No. Accredited offending behaviour programmes in custody and community are available to offenders regardless of ethnicity.

Offenders: Foreigners

Nick Herbert: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many foreign nationals were convicted of indictable offences in each of the last three years for which data is available.

Jack Straw: The following table gives the number of foreign national prisoners received into all prison establishments in England and Wales under immediate custodial sentence between 2004 and 2006:
	
		
			   Foreign nationals 
			 2004 8,355 
			 2005 9,612 
			 2006 9,832 
			  Source: Taken from table 7.5 of Offender Management Caseload Statistics 2006 
		
	
	This published table can be found at the following website: http://www.justice.gov.uk/publications/prisonandprobation.htm under chapter 7 of the supplementary tables. A copy of the Offender Management Caseload Statistics 2006 can be found in the House of Commons Library.
	Information on the total number of foreign nationals convicted for indictable offences are not held centrally. The central databases of Crown court criminal cases collect information on defendants' ethnicities, but do not presently contain information on their nationalities. This is because, as a general rule, nationality is not germane to the outcome of criminal court proceedings. Defendants will not be asked their nationality by the court for this reason. Information on nationality may be recorded where it is specifically relevant to the case (e.g. immigration-related offences) but this would be held on local files and would not be systematically recorded on central databases.
	However, in preparation of the implementation of the UK Borders Act 2007, the Crown court IT systems are being changed to allow for the collection of nationality data. This Act introduces automaticrather than discretionarytriggers for the deportation of foreign nationals who meet certain sentencing criteria, and it will require more detailed recording of data on foreign national criminal defendants. Upgraded systems to meet this requirement are expected to be in place in late 2008.

Police Custody

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many people were serving prison sentences in short-term police custody cells due to prison overcrowding at the latest date for which figures are available.

David Hanson: Operation Safeguard is the formal agreement between the National Offender Management Service and the Association of Chief Police Officers, used at times of high population pressure, that allows for prisoners to be held in police cells temporarily while a suitable place is identified in a prison. Wherever possible, prisoners will be held in police cells for no more than one night.

Prison Accommodation: Shipping

Nick Herbert: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what sites have been identified for mooring the prison ship announced on 31 January 2008.

Jack Straw: A number of sites are currently being assessed but no decisions have yet been taken as to which have the most potential.

Prison Accommodation: Shipping

Nick Herbert: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many responses the Government received to their tender for a prison ship in October 2006.

Jack Straw: Following the Authority's advertisement under the OJEU Procurement Regulations, 11 organisations submitted an expression of interest and of these, eight organisations elected to submit a response to the Pre-Qualification Questionnaire (PQQ). Following evaluation of the PQQ responses, five organisations were shortlisted to be issued with tender documents, of which in November 2006, resulted in three organisations finally submitting a tender for consideration.
	The identity of the bidding organisations remains commercially confidential information.

Prisoners Release: Foreigners

Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many foreign national prisoners were released from UK prisons in 2007.

David Hanson: I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer given to the hon. Member for Arundel and South Downs (Nick Herbert) on 21 January 2008,  Official Report , column 1665W.

Prisoners Release: Foreigners

David Wilshire: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many foreign prisoners have been released from HM prison Bronzefield in each month since the prison opened; and how many of these have been subsequently deported.

David Hanson: Between June 2004, when HMP Bronzefield opened, and December 2007 there were on average fewer than 10 foreign nationals discharged each month.
	Information relating to immigration status including the numbers who have been subsequently deported is not centrally available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost by detailed cross referencing of BIA case files with Prison Service records.
	These figures have been drawn from administrative IT systems, which, as with any large scale recording system, are subject to possible errors with data entry and processing.
	For the proportion of total prisoners who are foreign nationals, Council of Europe data on foreign national prisoners held in other major western countries reveal much higher proportions, for example in Austria (43 per cent.), Spain (33 per cent.), Germany (28 per cent.) and France (21 per cent.) than the figure for England and Wales (14 per cent.), based on 2006 population data.

Prisoners Release: Scunthorpe

Elliot Morley: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what proposals there are for new arrangements for the accommodation and supervision of recently released criminals in Scunthorpe; and if he will make a statement.

Maria Eagle: The Bail Accommodation and Support Service provides accommodation for defendants on bail, and for those at the end of a sentence who are eligible for release on Home Detention on a tag after a thorough risk assessment by the prison governor. The service is provided through ClearSprings Management Ltd. One three-bedroomed property is being sought in Scunthorpe for this service.
	Apart from this the Government have no plans to open new accommodation for ex-offenders in Scunthorpe.

Prisoners: Parole

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many prisoners are unable to have their applications for parole considered on the grounds that the Prison Service has been unable to provide the courses which must be completed successfully before parole can be given.

Maria Eagle: The fact that an offender has not completed an offending behaviour course does not preclude the offender from being considered suitable for parole; neither does the successful completion of an offending behaviour programme guarantee that the Parole Board would find the offender to have sufficiently reduced his risk of reoffending to warrant a positive parole decision.
	The Parole Board looks at a range of relevant risk factors when determining whether or not offenders should be released on parole, which might include reports on the offender's response to offending behaviour programmes if such work has been undertaken during the course of the sentence.
	Ultimate responsibility for the offender satisfying the Parole Board that the level of risk is reduced to the extent that he may be safely released into the community rests with the offender.

Prisons: Forensic Psychologists

Ronnie Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice 
	(1)  how many  (a) full-time and (1) part-time chartered forensic psychologists were employed by the Prison Service in England and Wales between 1997 and 2007;
	(2)  how many  (a) full-time and  (b) part-time forensic psychologists in training were employed by the Prison Service in England and Wales between 1997 and 2007;
	(3)  what proportion of forensic psychologists in training in the Prison Service  (a) completed and  (b) did not complete their training between 1997 and 2007.

Maria Eagle: It is not possible to report the number of chartered and in training forensic psychologists employed over the period 1997 to 2007. On average throughout this time period, the Prison Service has employed at any one time in the region of 350 psychologists in training.
	
		
			  Chartered staff employed at chartered psychology grades in the Prison Service as at 3 August 2007 
			   Number 
			 Manager E 130 
			 Manager F 135 
			 Senior Manager B 7 
			 Senior Manager C 6 
			 Senior Manager D 46 
			 Total 324 
		
	
	From May 2001 all psychologists wishing to become Chartered Forensic Psychologists have been required to complete the British Psychological Society's Diploma in Forensic Psychology. This consists of an academic component (Stage 1) and a supervised practice component (Stage 2).
	The diploma has undergone several changes since May 2001 with a high failure rate for first submission of Stage 2 evidence. At present, six individuals (not all HM Prison Service staff) have successfully completed this process although other have chartered under the 'old route' which ends May 2008.

Reoffenders

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many offenders are believed to have re-offended while on probation in Romford in the last five years.

David Hanson: The National Statistics relating to re-offending do not include a constituency level breakdown. Figures for proven re-offending within two years by adults released from prison or starting a community sentence have been published for 2000, 2002, 2003 and 2004. The most recent data was published in the 2007 report, Re-offending of adults: Results from the 2004 cohort which is available online at:
	http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/pdfs07/hosb0607.pdf

Secure Training Centres: Restraint Techniques

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice pursuant to the answer of 28 January 2008,  Official Report, column 150W, on secure training centres: restraint techniques, what the population of each institution was from 1 April to 30 November 2007.

David Hanson: The following table shows the end-of-month custody figure for each secure training centre from April to November 2007. The data have been provided by the Youth Justice Board.
	
		
			  Establishment  April  May  June  July  August  September  October  November 
			 Hassockfield 57 56 58 55 58 56 49 53 
			 Medway 64 60 65 67 71 69 76 74 
			 Oakhill 51 57 57 49 42 51 46 47 
			 Rainsbrook 81 80 82 85 86 81 84 84

Sentencing: Offensive Weapons

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many people were convicted of the possession of a knife in a public place in a crime hot spot in the last 12 months for which figures are available; how many of those people received a custodial sentence; and if he will make a statement.

Maria Eagle: The number of persons found guilty at magistrates courts, and the number of those found guilty who were given custodial sentences for the offence Having an article with blade or point in public place, in England and Wales, for the year 2006 can be found in the following table.
	It is difficult to identify a crime hotspot as these are determined locally, based on locally held data, therefore the data have been broken down by police force area.
	From April 2007 police forces have been collecting data on serious violence offences involving a knife or sharp instrument to improve our understanding of the prevalence of these types of crime. The first full year's data will be available from July 08. The new data collection will provide specific information about the level of knife offences in serious violent offences which, over time, will provide trend data to support the Government and the police in identifying areas for which efforts to tackle knife crime should be targeted.
	
		
			  N umber of persons found guilty at magistrates courts and, of those found guilty the number who were given custodial sentences for the offence Having an article with blade or point in public place, in England and Wales by police force area, for the year 2006( 1,2,3) 
			  Force  Found guilty  Found guilty and given a custodial sentence 
			 Avon and Somerset 168 30 
			 Bedfordshire 61 14 
			 Cambridgeshire 67 10 
			 Cheshire 83 16 
			 City of London 11 Nil 
			 Cleveland 75 9 
			 Cumbria 39 6 
			 Derbyshire 77 11 
			 Devon and Cornwall 119 17 
			 Dorset 66 10 
			 Durham 91 8 
			 Essex 173 44 
			 Gloucestershire 38 7 
			 Greater Manchester 389 46 
			 Hampshire 160 29 
			 Hertfordshire 84 13 
			 Humberside 123 20 
			 Kent 6 1 
			 Lancashire 143 16 
			 Leicestershire 111 10 
			 Lincolnshire 68 9 
			 Merseyside 218 38 
			 Metropolitan Police 1,680 293 
			 Norfolk 61 14 
			 North Yorkshire 57 6 
			 Northamptonshire 1 1 
			 Northumbria 215 18 
			 Nottinghamshire 144 16 
			 South Yorkshire 149 23 
			 Staffordshire 91 19 
			 Suffolk 106 20 
			 Surrey 37 7 
			 Sussex 138 25 
			 Thames Valley 177 28 
			 Warwickshire 30 2 
			 West Mercia 96 16 
			 West Midlands 380 63 
			 West Yorkshire 170 16 
			 Wiltshire 67 6 
			 Dyfed-Powys 29 2 
			 Gwent 56 5 
			 North Wales 113 20 
			 South Wales 153 31 
			
			 England and Wales 995 6,320 
			 (1) These data are on the principal offence basis. (2) Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by the courts and police forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used. (3) Includes the following statutes: Criminal Justice Act 1988 S.I39 as amended by Offensive Weapons Act 1996 S.3.  Source: Court proceedings database held by RDS Office for Criminal Justice ReformMinistry of Justice

Sex Offenders

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many registered sex offenders in the relevant areas made no contact with  (a) the Metropolitan Police and  (b) Sussex Police last year.

Maria Eagle: The particular data requested are not collected centrally. In the Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA) annual reports, police forces report the number of offenders annually who are cautioned or charged for failing to comply with the notification requirements of the Sexual Offences Act 2003 (which make them registered sexual offenders). In addition, police forces regularly monitor how many of the registered sexual offenders are not residing where they should. According to data provided by the two forces in question, the number of offenders cautioned or charged for not complying with the requirements between 1 April 2006 and 31 March 20007 was: London (includes Metropolitan and City of London forces): 405; Sussex: 38.
	At 31 December 2007, the number of registered sexual offenders who were found to be not residing at their registered addresses was: London (includes Metropolitan and City of London forces): 91; Sussex: 13.
	It should be noted that the latter figures will fluctuate, as police forces locate offenders and others cannot be found at their registered addresses. Police forces will seek to trace registered sexual offenders who cannot be found at their registered addresses; including the checking of known alternative addresses, family and social contacts; consultation with other agencies and their records and liaison with the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre (CEOP), which operates a most wanted list, published and updated on the internet.

Sex Offenders

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many individuals were on the national sex offenders register in  (a) Romford,  (b) Greater London and  (c) Essex at the most recent date for which figures are available.

Maria Eagle: Data on registered sexual offenders are collated geographically by police force area and broken down to basic command unit (BCU) level area. The data are published in local multi-agency public protection arrangements (MAPPA) annual reports which are available in the House Libraries and at:
	http://www.probation.justice.gov.uk/output/page30.asp
	The Romford constituency is not coterminous with any BCU but is covered by the data relating to the Metropolitan police BCU of Havering.
	
		
			  Registered sexual offenders, as at 31 March 2007 
			   Number 
			  (a) Havering 65 
			  (b) London (includes Metropolitan and City of London Police) 3,151 
			  (c) Essex 735

Smuggling

James Paice: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice 
	(1)  what fines were imposed on offenders following conviction for offences of illegally importing products of animal origin (POAO) into the UK in each year since 2001; and what the  (a) weight,  (b) country of origin and  (c) type of POAO seized in each case was;
	(2)  how many offenders received custodial sentences following convictions for offences of illegally importing products of animal origin into the UK in each year since 2001.

Maria Eagle: Information on the number of offenders sentenced and fines imposed for the offences of illegally importing products of animal origin is contained in the following table.
	Statistics for 2007 will be published in the autumn.
	It is not possible to identify separately the weight and country of origin on the Court Proceedings Database as the circumstances of offences are not collected centrally.
	
		
			  Number of persons sentenced( 1)  to immediate custody and given fines for the offence of illegally importing products of animal origin, all courts, England and Wales, 2001-06 
			  Number of offenders 
			   2001  2002  2003  2004  2005  2006 
			  Offence  Fine  Immediate custody  Fine  Immediate custody  Fine  Immediate custody  Fine  Immediate custody  Fine  Immediate custody  Fine  Immediate custody 
			 Cruelty to animalsoffences against other enactments(2)   2  2  1   1 3  
			 (1) Principal offence basis. (2) Classified as an offence under Products of Animal Origin Regulations 2003 and 2006.  Note: These figures have been drawn from administrative data systems. Although care is taken when processing and analysing the returns, the detail collected is subject to the inaccuracies inherent in any large scale recording system.  Source: RDS-NOMS, Ministry of Justice  8 February 2008 Ref: PQ(RN)069 and 070-08

Trade Unions

Andrew Tyrie: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice with which trade unions his Department has a recognition agreement.

Maria Eagle: The Ministry of Justice has in place formal arrangements that recognise the following trade unions and employee representative bodies:
	FDA
	General Municipal Boilers (GMB)
	National Association of Probation Officers (NAPO)
	Prospect
	Prison Officers Association (POA)
	Prison Governors'' Association (PGA)
	Public and Commercial Services (PCS)
	Royal College of Nursing (RCN)
	Unite (includes TGWU/Amicus)
	Union of Construction, Allied Trades and Technicians (UCATT)
	UNISON.

Wills

Linda Gilroy: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what assessment he has made of the effects of self-regulation of the will-making sector; and what plans he has to regulate the making of wills.

Bridget Prentice: In 2005, this Department considered the case for the regulation of will-writing. Since then we have worked with consumer bodies, the legal profession, providers of will-writing services and the Office of Fair Trading (OFT), and asked for evidence that would suggest that there is a systemic failure in the will-writing market. While we received information about some cases, we reached the conclusion that there was no convincing evidence, either before or during the scrutiny of the Legal Services Bill, to warrant the regulation of will writing services.
	The Department recognises that improvements must be made in the control of quality and standards of will-writing and related services in order to protect consumers and in 2006 we held meetings with interested stakeholders to discuss more effective options such as the OFT's voluntary codes scheme. If evidence emerges in the future of any systemic failure which is putting consumers at risk, the Legal Services Act 2007 does provide suitable provision so that will-writing might be brought into the regulatory net.

Young Offenders: Injuries

Rudi Vis: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice whether the new system for recording injuries to young offenders in the secure estate identifies  (a) the type of institution in which the injury occurred and  (b) (i) the age and (ii) ethnicity of the person injured.

David Hanson: The Youth Justice Board introduced a new system for recording incidents of restrictive physical intervention, assault, self-harm and single separation in April 2007. Information can currently be broken down by institution, ethnicity and sex. The YJB intends to begin collecting details of the age of the young person from April 2008.

CHILDREN, SCHOOLS AND FAMILIES

Academies: Norwich

Ian Gibson: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families if he will meet representatives of the area which may be served by the Heartsease Academy in Norwich before the Academy's approval date.

Jim Knight: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State would be pleased to do so.

Building Schools for the Future

Ann Coffey: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families with reference to the answer of 18 October 2007,  Official Report, columns 1292-4W, on Building Schools for the Future, 
	(1)  what progress he has made in reviewing the operation of waves seven to 15 of the programme;
	(2)  what progress he has made with developing the programme to accelerate the entry of education authorities into it.

Jim Knight: It is still my aim to consult on how we manage waves seven onwards of Building Schools for the Future, and also to give all authorities with projects in these waves the opportunity we have already offered, to revise their expressions of interest in the programme. Wave seven authorities will be able to access funding from 2011-12. I would like to see all authorities having a project in the programme as soon as possible, but this will depend on their readiness to deliver, and on future public spending decisions.
	We have not consulted to the timetable indicated in my response to the question of 18 October last year. As the Select Committee said in its report on Building Schools for the Future last year, the important thing with this major programme is to get it right. This delay reflects our aim to do this, and is a sign of the Government's continued commitment to Building Schools for the Future and to getting it right.

Building Schools for the Future

Robert Flello: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families 
	(1)  how many schools built under the Building Schools for the Future programme have provision for  (a) fewer than 500 pupils,  (b) between 500 and 1,000 pupils and  (c) more than 1,000 pupils;
	(2)  how many new schools have been built under the Building Schools for the Future programme; how many have been refurbished; and what proportion of funding to the programme has been spent on each activity.

Jim Knight: The number of pupils in the schools that have been rebuilt or refurbished as part of Building Schools for the Future is set out in the following table. Funding for these schools from Building Schools for the Future totalled 100.5 million and includes 'early win' projects. The proportion of this funding used for refurbishment was 58.75 million and for new build was 41.75 million.
	
		
			  Building schools for the futurenewly modernised schools 
			   Number of pupils  
			   0-500  500-1 , 000  1 , 000+  Total 
			 Rebuilt 1 0 2 3 
			 Refurbished 1 4 2 7 
			 Total 2 4 4 10

Children in Care

Dari Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many children in local authority care are waiting for  (a) placement with a foster parent or parents and  (b) adoption.

Kevin Brennan: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given by my predecessor on 25 June 2007,  Official  Report, column 532W.

Class Sizes

Matthew Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what the average class sizes were in  (a) primary and  (b) secondary schools in (i) Cornwall, (ii) the south-west and (iii) England in 2006-07.

Jim Knight: The average class sizes for both primary and secondary schools in Cornwall, the south-west and England are all shown in the following table.
	
		
			  Average class size 
			   Primary schools  Secondary schools 
			 Cornwall 26.2 21.3 
			 South-west 26.1 21.4 
			 England 26.2 21.2 
			  Source: School Census 
		
	
	These figures are for classes taught by one teacher. The figures were taken from table 21 and table 23 of the Statistical First Release 'Schools and Pupils in England: January 2007', available at:
	http://www.dfes.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/SFR/s000744/index.shtml.

Education: Disadvantaged

Stephen Byers: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what percentage of pupils  (a) entitled and  (b) not entitled to free school meals left school (i) without any recognised qualification and (ii) with five A* to C grade GCSEs in 2007.

Jim Knight: The following table shows pupil achievement at the end of Key Stage 4 in maintained schools by eligibility for free school meals (FSM) in 2007:
	
		
			   Number of pupils  Percentage achieving 5 A*-C grades  Percentage with no recognised qualifications 
			 FSM 76,641 35.5 5.4 
			 Non- FSM 522,088 62.8 1.9 
		
	
	These figures are taken from Table 8 in SFR38/2007 which can be found using the following link
	http://www.dfes.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/SFR/s000759/index.shtml

Education: Disadvantaged

Michael Gove: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many pupils who were eligible for free school meals left education without qualifications in each of the last three years.

Jim Knight: I refer the hon. Member to the answer to his question 182171 on 28 January 2008,  Official R eport, columns 161-62W.

Female Genital Mutilation

Hugo Swire: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what advice his Department provides to schools on female circumcision.

Beverley Hughes: The Department provides advice to schools about female genital mutilation (FGM), which encompasses female circumcision, in 'Safeguarding Children and Safer Recruitment in Education', which came into force in January 2007. The guidance makes clear that FGM is a criminal offence, extremely harmful and is a form of physical abuse which is not justified as a cultural or religious practice. It refers to the Female Genital Mutilation Act 2003 and signposts further sources of information available on the Department's teachernet website.
	It is important that people who work with children who may be at risk of FGM know the warning signs that could indicate that a child is being prepared for FGM, which may involve being taken abroad, and that they are alert to the signs that FGM may have been carried out.

Forced Marriage

Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families pursuant to the Prime Minister's oral answer to the hon. Member for Reading, West of 30 January 2008,  Official Report, column 315, on forced marriage, when the Government plan to report back to the House.

Kevin Brennan: The Department is looking into this issue, jointly with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's Forced Marriage Unit. We will report back to the House in March.

GCE A-Level

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families 
	(1)  how many secondary schools did not enter any candidates for chemistry A-Level in 2007;
	(2)  how many secondary schools did not enter any candidates for physics A-level in 2007;
	(3)  how many secondary schools did not enter any candidates for mathematics A-level in 2007;
	(4)  how many secondary schools did not enter any candidates for biology A-level in 2007.

Jim Knight: The information is provided in the following table:
	
		
			   Number of schools who did not enter any candidates  Percentage of schools who did not enter any candidates 
			 Mathematics 196 10.6 
			 Physics 351 19.0 
			 Biology 244 13.2 
			 Chemistry 287 15.6 
		
	
	These figures relate to 16 to 18-year-olds (age at the start of the academic year, i.e. 31 August 2006) in all maintained schools with sixth forms.

GCE A-Level: Greater London

David Evennett: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families 
	(1)  how many pupils have re-sat  (a) AS level and  (b) A2 level examinations in each London borough since their introduction;
	(2)  how many pupils re-sat GCSEs in each London borough in the last five years for which figures are available, broken down by subject.

Jim Knight: The information can be provided only at disproportionate cost.

GCSE and A-Level

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families 
	(1)  what estimate he has made of the proportion of maintained secondary schools which did not offer GCSE in  (a) chemistry,  (b) ICT,  (c) physics and  (d) history in (i) 2000, (ii) 2005, (iii) 2006 and (iv) 2007;
	(2)  what his most recent estimate is of the proportion of maintained secondary schools offering Mandarin to  (a) GCSE and  (b) A-level;
	(3)  what assessment he has made of the effects on numbers of pupils choosing subjects at  (a) GCSE and  (b) A-level of Government targets to improve the share of pupils achieving higher grades in these qualifications; and if he will make a statement;
	(4)  what proportion of pupils studying for A-levels and GCSEs have taken  (a) A-level and  (b) GCSE examinations in each subject in (i) 1988, (ii) 1996, (iii) 2000, (iv) 2004 and (v) 2007; and if he will make a statement;
	(5)  what proportion of those studying for mathematics A-level were educated in  (a) maintained and  (b) private schools in each year from 1988 to 2007; and if he will make a statement;
	(6)  what proportion of pupils in maintained schools studied mathematics at A-level or AS-level in each year from 1988 to 2007; and if he will make a statement;
	(7)  what proportion of pupils at the 100  (a) top and  (b) bottom performing maintained secondary schools by GCSE results in 2007 were known to be eligible for free school meals; what the equivalent national percentage average was for all maintained secondary schools; and if he will make a statement.

Jim Knight: The information can be provided only at disproportionate cost.

GCSE: Standards

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families 
	(1)  pursuant to the answer of 28 January 2008,  Official Report, column 162W, on GCSE: standards, how many schools in each local education authority area had fewer than 25 per cent. of pupils achieve five A* to C grade passes at GCSE, including mathematics and English, in each year between 1998 and 2004;
	(2)  how many of the schools in each local education authority area with fewer than 25 per cent. of pupils achieving five A* to C grade passes at GCSE, including mathematics and English, in 2006-07  (a) have since been closed and  (b) are planned to close.

Jim Knight: The information for 2001/02 onwards is in the Achievement and Attainment Tables in the Library. Information for the other years can be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Holocaust Educational Trust: Finance

Francis Maude: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what funding has been allocated to the work of the Holocaust Educational Trust to help combat anti-Semitism and racism.

Jim Knight: I refer the right hon. Member to the reply given in the House on 4 February 2008,  Official Report, column 646.

Holocaust: Education

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what steps the Government have taken to educate school children on the Holocaust since 1997.

Jim Knight: The teaching of the Holocaust has been a statutory requirement since the inception of the National Curriculum in 1991.
	Guidance to teachers was published by the QCA in 2000 when the National Curriculum was reviewed, and on 27 January 2001 the first Holocaust Memorial Day was held. Holocaust Memorial Day aims to encourage greater awareness among young people of the relevance of the Holocaust and the need for mutual respect and understanding. It is supported by a Government funded education pack.
	Since 2006 the Government have been supporting the Holocaust Educational Trust's lessons from Auschwitz project for 16 to 18-year-olds, and funding of 4.65 million over the next three years was announced on 4 February.

Home Education

Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families whether a child aged 14 who is home educated and attends a local college on a part-time basis is entitled to support towards transport costs.

Jim Knight: Local authorities must provide transport where they consider it necessary to ensure that a child goes to school. If transport is necessary, then it must be provided free of charge.
	In most cases, it is for the local authority to decide if transport is necessary, but a child will be automatically entitled to free transport if they are between five and 16 years old and attend the nearest suitable school, and the school is further away than the 'statutory walking distance'. The statutory walking distance is three miles for those aged eight and over.
	From 1 September 2008 secondary pupils (11 to 16 years old) will be entitled to free school transport if they are from a low income family, they attend any one of their three nearest suitable schools, and the schools are between two and six miles away from their home address. The extended rights to free transport are part of wider changes introduced under the Education and Inspections Act 2006.
	Although the regulations and the Act refer to 'schools', it is the age of the child that is significant. This means that a child of compulsory school age, attending a college to study national curriculum subjects, will fall under the regulations set out above.

Lord Adonis

Robert Wareing: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what the purpose was of Lord Adonis's visit to Liverpool on 25 January, with particular reference to his visit to Croxteth comprehensive school; who invited him to visit the school; and whom he met during that visit.

Jim Knight: My noble friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Schools and Learners visited Liverpool at the invitation of the leader of Liverpool city council as part of ongoing discussions about the city's Building Schools for the Future Programme. Lord Adonis visited Croxteth comprehensive school with the leader of Liverpool city council and a number of the leader's senior officials.

Primary Education

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families 
	(1)  how many primary schools in each local authority with fewer than 100 pupils have not joined other schools in forming federations;
	(2)  how many primary schools in each local authority with at least 25 per cent. surplus places have not joined other schools in forming federations.

Jim Knight: The Department does not keep systematic records of the schools that are involved in federation arrangements and schools are under no obligation to inform the Department when they enter such arrangements. It would not be possible for this information to be obtained from LAs or schools without incurring disproportionate costs.

Primary Education: Academies

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what plans he has to establish primary school academies; and if he will make a statement.

Jim Knight: There are currently no plans for the academies programme to extend to schools solely catering for pupils of primary age. However, the programme does extend to all-age academies and there are currently eight all-through academies (providing education for all ages from three to 19), with a further seven in the pipeline.
	Sponsors may also enter an academy proposal in any of the competitions now required under the Education and Inspections Act 2006 for most new and replacement primary and secondary schools.

Primary Education: Admissions

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many and what proportion of maintained primary schools had  (a) under 245 pupils,  (b) between 246 and 345 pupils,  (c) between 346 and 445 pupils,  (d) between 446 and 545 pupils,  (e) between 546 and 645 pupils,  (f) between 646 and 745 pupils,  (g) between 746 and 845 pupils,  (h) between 846 and 945,  (i) between 946 and 999 pupils and  (j) over 1,000 pupils in the last period for which figures are available.

Jim Knight: The requested information is shown in the following table:
	
		
			  Maintained primary schools( 1) : Number of schools by size( 2) , January 2007, England 
			   All schools( 3)  Maintained primary schools  Percentage( 4) 
			 Up to and including 245 pupils 14,605 11,094 76.0 
			 246 pupils to 345 pupils 3,462 3,120 90.1 
			 346 pupils to 445 pupils 2,595 2,303 88.7 
			 446 pupils to 545 pupils 805 551 68.4 
			 546 pupils to 645 pupils 466 186 39.9 
			 646 pupils to 745 pupils 439 84 19.1 
			 746 pupils to 845 pupils 400 17 4.3 
			 846 pupils to 945 pupils 434 6 1.4 
			 946 pupils to 999 pupils 189 0 0.0 
			 1,000 pupils and over 1,623 0 0.0 
			 Total 25,018 17,361 69.4 
			 (1) Includes middle deemed schools.  (2) Full-time equivalent number of pupils. Excludes dually registered pupils.  (3) Includes pupils with other providers in pupil referral units.  (4) Number of schools in each band expressed as a percentage of the total number of schools in each band.   Source:  School Census.

Primary Education: Admissions

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many local authorities  (a) had over 10 per cent. surplus primary school places in each year since 1997 and  (b) are estimated to have over 10 per cent. of surplus places in each year until 2015; and if he will make a statement.

Jim Knight: The Department collects information from each local authority (LA) on the number of surplus school places via an annual survey. The earliest data available is for 1998 and the most recent is for 2007. The number of surplus school places was not collected in 2002 to allow for a change in the method of assessing school capacity. Currently, the number of surplus school places is calculated using the net capacity method of assessment which was introduced in 2003. Up to 2001 the capacity of a school was calculated using the MOE (More Open Enrolment) method.
	 (a) The table shows the number of LAs that had over 10 per cent. surplus primary school places calculated by the MOE method between 1998 and 2001 and the net capacity method between 2003 and 2007.
	 (b) The Department collects forecast data from local authorities on projected pupil numbers, but not on projected school capacity. We are unable, therefore, to estimate future levels of surplus places.
	
		
			   Number of LAs with 10 per cent. or more primary surplus places ( 1) 
			 2007 107 
			 2006 103 
			 2005 106 
			 2004 108 
			 2003 102 
			 2001 80 
			 2000 69 
			 1999 65 
			 1998 65 
			 (1) Number of places relate to position as at January  Source:  Surplus Places Survey

Pupil Exclusions

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what support has been given to head teachers in exercising their function of excluding pupils since June 2007.

Kevin Brennan: Head teachers must complete statutory training prior to appointment (the National Professional Qualification for Headship). The training aims to support heads in developing effective strategies to run their schools, which includes those on pupil behaviour and exclusion.
	We back heads when they take the difficult decision to permanently exclude a pupil. The intention must be to intervene early to nip misbehaviour in the bud and so reduce the need for permanent exclusion. Provisions in the Education and Inspections Act 2006, which came into force on 1 September 2007, allow schools to apply for Parenting Orders earlier. Now they can be used in cases where a pupil's serious misbehaviour would warrant exclusion, before waiting until a pupil had been excluded as had previously been the case. Schools can now apply directly to the magistrates court for Parenting Orders rather than arrange for the local authority to make the application. Also, schools can now offer voluntary parenting contracts at an earlier stage where pupils have misbehaved in school.
	We issued revised guidance to local authorities and schools on exclusions, which came into force on 1 September 2007. We have also issued guidance at the same time on the use of education-related parenting contracts, Parenting Orders and penalty notices.

Pupils: Zimbabwe

Barry Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many children of Zimbabwean nationals are being educated in English schools.

Jim Knight: The requested information is not collected centrally.

Schools: Admissions

Michael Gove: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many schools had more than  (a) 30 per cent.,  (b) 50 per cent. and  (c) 70 per cent. surplus places in each of the last 10 years.

Jim Knight: We cannot provide the information requested because it would require us to manipulate large volumes of data which could be undertaken only at a disproportionate cost.

Schools: Manpower

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what the staffing costs of  (a) teachers and  (b) all school staff were in the latest year for which figures are available.

Jim Knight: The available information requested is as follows:
	
		
			  Staffing expenditure by all local authority maintained schools in England for 2006-07 
			million 
			  (a) Teaching staff 17,867 
			  (b) Non-teaching staff 6,655 
			 (c) Other employee expenses(1) 480 
			   
			 Total: 25,002 
			 (1) Including recruitment, development and training costs.

Schools: Offensive Weapons

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how much funding has been allocated to provide intensive education warnings about guns and knives in secondary schools.

Jim Knight: No specific funding has been allocated by this Department to support education about guns and knives in secondary schools. However, there are opportunities for schools to address this issue throughout the curriculum and in particular through the statutory citizenship curriculum, at key stages 3 and 4 as it relates to legal and human rights and responsibilities and the importance of resolving conflict fairly. Through personal, social and health education, pupils are taught to recognise and manage risk and make safer choices and to recognise when pressure from others threatens their personal safety.

Schools: Rural Areas

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many rural schools he has agreed to close since the presumption against such closure was introduced; which such schools have closed; and on what dates, broken down by local authority.

Jim Knight: The Secretary of State has not agreed to close any rural school since the presumption against closure of such schools was introduced in 1998. Local authorities are responsible for taking decisions on proposals to close schools, including rural schools. Where there is an appeal against a proposed closure the schools adjudicator makes the decision. Ministers do not have a role in this process.

Schools: Rural Areas

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families pursuant to the written ministerial statement of 31 January 2008,  Official Report, column 24WS, on the future of rural schools, and the letter placed in the Library, what estimate he has made of the percentage of rural schools which may need to  (a) close and  (b) merge; and if he will make a statement.

Jim Knight: The Department has not made an estimate of the number of rural schools which may need to close or merge. Local authorities are responsible for planning school places in their area and they, or the schools adjudicator, make the decisions about school closures. Both must have regard to statutory guidance which contains a presumption against closing rural schools.
	We do not expect local authorities to rush to close rural schools. They should consider other options first such as rationalising school space, for example by removing temporary accommodation, or broadening the services their schools offer in line with the likely future pattern of children's services and the needs of local communities. We also encourage authorities to look at promoting shared governance arrangements between small primary schools as a way of addressing financial and educational challenges resulting from falling primary school rolls.

Schools: Rural Areas

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families pursuant to the written ministerial statement of 31 January 2008,  Official Report, column 24WS, on the future of rural schools, and the letter placed in the Library, how much of the 188 million of funding referred to in the dedicated schools grant 2007-08 for the extra costs of primary schools which arise due to sparsity of population has been allocated to Herefordshire; and if he will make a statement.

Jim Knight: For the financial year 2007-08 we calculate that 2.87 million of Herefordshire's funding for schools through the Dedicated Schools Grant is for the extra costs of primary schools which arise due to sparsity of population.

Schools: Rural Areas

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families pursuant to the written ministerial statement of 31 January 2008,  Official Report, column 24WS, on the future of rural schools, and the letter placed in the Library, under what circumstances his Department's policy is that a  (a) primary and  (b) secondary school should remain open in a rural area when there is in excess of 10 per cent. surplus spaces; and if he will make a statement.

Jim Knight: The Department's policy is that it is for local authorities to plan school provision in their area and to develop strategies for removing high levels of surplus places, where they exist, with particular attention to poorly performing schools.
	We accept that in order to preserve access for young children there may be more empty places in rural areas than in urban areas. In preparing their plans authorities must take into account the presumption against closing rural schools contained in statutory guidance. Reducing surplus places need not mean school closures. It can also be achieved by removing temporary accommodation, or consolidating, or adapting accommodation for alternative community use, or federating groups of schools together.

Schools: Rural Areas

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families which rural schools are  (a) on and  (b) not on the list of rural schools for which there is a presumption against closure; and if he will make a statement.

Jim Knight: The presumption against closure applies to all rural schools. Rural primary schools are designated by the Secretary of State under the provisions of Section 70(3) of the Education Act 2005. There is no designation process for rural secondary schools. The rural classification is based on the Office of National Statistics rural indicator.
	A copy of the list of rural primary schools has been placed in the Library. The list is also available on
	http://www.dfes.gov.uk/publications/otherdocs.shtml.

Schools: Rural Areas

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families when his Department drew up the list of rural schools for which there is a presumption against closure, with reference to his letter of 31 January 2008 to Directors of Children's Services in England.

Jim Knight: The order designating the list of rural primary schools to which the presumption against closure applies under Section 70(3) of the Education Act 2005 came into force on 16 March 2007.

Science: GCE A-Level

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families 
	(1)  how many secondary schools did not enter any candidates for at least two science A-levels in 2007;
	(2)  how many secondary schools courses which offer A-levels did not offer at least two science A-level courses in 2007.

Jim Knight: The Department for Children, Schools and Families does not hold information on the subjects offered by individual schools.
	In 2006/07, the number of maintained schools that did not enter any candidates for at least two science A-levels was 306. This was 16.6 per cent. of all maintained schools published in the Achievement and Attainment Tables (AATs).
	The figures relate to 16 to 18-year-olds (age at start of academic year, i.e. 31 August 2006).

Special Educational Needs: Surrey

David Wilshire: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many children in the Administrative County of Surrey area had special educational needs statements in each of the last five years.

Jim Knight: The following table shows the number of pupils in all schools living in the local authority of Surrey that had special educational needs with statements in each of the last five years.
	
		
			   Number of pupils 
			 2003 5,288 
			 2004 5,375 
			 2005 5,368 
			 2006 5,390 
			 2007 5,298 
			  Source:  SEN2 Survey 
		
	
	This information can be found for all local authorities in England in Table 16 of the Statistical First Release 'Special Educational Needs in England: January 2007', available at:
	http://www.dfes.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/SFR/s000732/index.shtml.

Specialised Diplomas

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many secondary schools in each local authority have not joined a consortium with other schools and colleges to provide diplomas.

Jim Knight: There has been a very positive response from secondary schools to the delivery of diplomas. Of 3,053 secondary schools in England, only 552 (18 per cent.) are not currently members of consortia. A breakdown of numbers by local authority is set out in the following table.
	By 2013 there will be a national entitlement to all 14 diplomas; we expect every secondary school to be involved so that all young people can access diplomas if they wish.
	
		
			  Local authority  Number of secondary schools not involved in diploma delivery( 1) 
			 Barnet 15 
			 Bath and North East Somerset 7 
			 Bexley 8 
			 Birmingham 24 
			 Blackpool 1 
			 Bolton 3 
			 Bracknell Forest 6 
			 Bradford 15 
			 Bristol City of 16 
			 Bromley 4 
			 Buckinghamshire 13 
			 Bury 1 
			 Calderdale 4 
			 Cambridgeshire 1 
			 Camden 4 
			 Cheshire 2 
			 Cornwall 10 
			 Croydon 11 
			 Cumbria 11 
			 Derby 9 
			 Derbyshire 7 
			 Devon 10 
			 Dudley 8 
			 Essex 22 
			 Gloucestershire 7 
			 Greenwich 2 
			 Hackney 1 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham 1 
			 Hampshire 2 
			 Havering 6 
			 Hertfordshire 3 
			 Hounslow 4 
			 Kent 19 
			 Kingston upon Thames 4 
			 Lancashire 18 
			 Leeds 13 
			 Leicestershire 28 
			 Lincolnshire 4 
			 Liverpool 6 
			 Manchester 11 
			 Milton Keynes 4 
			 Newcastle upon Tyne 4 
			 Norfolk 4 
			 North East Lincolnshire 4 
			 North Yorkshire 2 
			 Northamptonshire 4 
			 Northumberland 5 
			 Nottingham 4 
			 Nottinghamshire 7 
			 Oldham 2 
			 Oxfordshire 1 
			 Peterborough 1 
			 Plymouth 2 
			 Reading 2 
			 Redcar and Cleveland 3 
			 Rutland 1 
			 Salford 5 
			 Sheffield 6 
			 Solihull 3 
			 Somerset 2 
			 South Gloucestershire 4 
			 South Tyneside 1 
			 Southampton 14 
			 Southend-on-Sea 7 
			 St. Helens 1 
			 Stockport 7 
			 Stoke-on-Trent 5 
			 Suffolk 18 
			 Surrey 13 
			 Swindon 1 
			 Tameside 2 
			 Telford and Wrekin 1 
			 Trafford 7 
			 Wakefield 12 
			 Walsall 8 
			 Wandsworth 8 
			 Warwickshire 4 
			 West Berkshire 1 
			 West Sussex 1 
			 Wiltshire 12 
			 Wirral 11 
			 Wokingham 7 
			 Grand 552 
			 (1 )Includes secondary schools that will not be delivering diplomas in 2008 or 2009. Excludes middle deemed secondary schools, independent schools and academies.

Teachers: Communication

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what mechanisms are in place to inform teachers of  (a) new legislation and  (b) new guidelines; and if he will make a statement.

Jim Knight: The Department only sends information automatically to schools in England in exceptional cases having stopped regular paper mailings in December 2004. Discussions with head teachers and detailed research showed that schools wanted to be able to choose the information and guidance they needed, when they needed them.
	Instead the Department implemented a new model communications approach that combines e-mail, internet, an online ordering system, Teachers TV, and Teachers Magazineall help signpost legislation and guidance as well as presenting information in a user friendly way. This has been well received by schools and puts them in control of what they receive, when they receive it and the number of paper-based copies they require.
	The Department now issues a fortnightly email to all schools highlighting key information of importance including legislation and guidance. In addition to this, the Department's communications directorate offers information and support to schools via a range of channels including:
	 Teachers Magazine and Governors Newsletter
	Issued six times a year and distributed to teachers and governors homes and to schools.
	 TeacherNet, Standards Site and GovernorNet
	Online information, resources and help for people who work in schools. Work is currently being taken forward to bring these sites into a single new website for schoolsSchoolsWeb.
	 Teachers' TV
	A new innovative digital television channel launched in February 2005the first of its kind. Teachers' TV is editorially independent of the Department and provides support, good practice from around the system. It also offers content of interest and value to broader communities including parents and others in the children's work force.
	All of our work on communications (online ordering, Teachers Magazine, Governors Newsletter, Teachers TV, e-mail communications, and SchoolsWeb) build on the guiding principles that our communications must be accessible, add value, aim to reduce burdens, drive improved standards, and contribute where possible to greater efficiency.
	An annual report is presented to Parliament each year, listing the documents sent from the Department and its agencies to all schools.

WORK AND PENSIONS

Health and Safety

Tony Lloyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will make a statement on Government policy on enforcement of health and safety law.

Anne McGuire: The Government support the Health and Safety Commission and Executive's policy of firm but fair enforcement of health and safety law, as set out in their published Enforcement Policy Statement.

Worklessness

Ann Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment he has made of trends in the level of worklessness among under 25 year olds since 1997.

Stephen Timms: Claimant unemployment is falling for 18 to 24-year-olds and is down 167,000 since 1997. In 1997, over 80,000 18 to 24-year-olds had been receiving jobseeker's allowance for over 12 months. Today, that figure is fewer than 7,000.

Poverty

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate the Government has made of levels of poverty among disadvantaged groups.  [Official Report, 26 February 2008, Vol. 472, c. 16MC.]

Stephen Timms: The number of children in poverty has fallen by 600,000 in the past decade, the number of pensioners by over a million and the number of disabled people by 900,000. We are determined to make further progress.

Local Employment Partnerships

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many local employment partnerships are in operation; and if he will make a statement.

Stephen Timms: Over 500 employers have now signed up, and over half of them are now up and running. In the north-east last week I signed partnership agreements with Sembcorp at the Wilton petrochemicals complex, and with Nissan at Sunderland. Over 2,000 disadvantaged jobless people have found work through local employment partnerships so far.

Child Support Agency

Anne Moffat: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment he has made of the performance of the Child Support Agency following the introduction of the operational improvement plan.

James Plaskitt: The Agency's performance has significantly improved since the Operational Improvement Plan was launched in April 2006.
	The Agency clears more applications than it receives per month and uncleared new scheme applications are at their lowest since March 2003. Over half of all new applications are cleared within six weeks.
	However, the real test is the difference made for children by collecting or arranging maintenance. Nearly 675,000 children now benefit from maintenance, an increase of around 78,000 since the plan was launched.

Welfare Services

Anne Snelgrove: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what plans his Department has to personalise welfare services.

Anne McGuire: Jobcentre Plus already provides tailored personal advice. Our successful Pathways to Work pilots, combining employment and health support, have already shown significant success in getting people off benefit and into employment.
	We are proposing more personalised support for all our customers. As well as the national roll-out of Pathways to Work we are introducing the Flexible New Deal from April 2009 and extending New Deal Plus for Lone Parents pilots until 2011.

Lone Parents: Work Assistance

Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what steps he is taking to help lone parents into work.

Stephen Timms: In our Command Paper 'Ready for work: full employment in our generation', published in December 2007, we announced increased obligations for lone parents. Lone parents who are claiming income support solely based on being a lone parent will have to move onto a more appropriate benefit when their youngest child is:
	12 and over from October 2008;
	10 and over from October 2009; and
	seven and over from October 2010.
	To help more lone parents into work, in April, we are making the in-work credit available nationally. This gives eligible lone parents an extra 40 a week (60 a week in London) for up to a year when they start work of 16 hours or more a week. In addition, later this year we will pilot a payment which will give an assurance to lone parents, and other eligible groups who have been claiming certain benefits for 26 weeks or more, that their income from work, including in-work benefits, will be a least 25 per week more than they received from out of work benefits.

Women Pensioners

Sally Keeble: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what plans he has to increase the income of women pensioners.

Mike O'Brien: As a result of pensions reform the proportion of women reaching state pension age entitled to a full basic state pension will rise from around 35 per cent. now to around three quarters in 2010 and over 90 per cent. in 2025.
	Proposals in the current Pensions Bill should result in an estimated three and a half to four million women being enrolled into a workplace pension, many for the first time. The combination of state and private pensions reforms will help ensure more women build up their own pension provision.

NEETs

Roberta Blackman-Woods: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what plans his Department has to reduce the number of young people not in training, employment or education.

Stephen Timms: The proportion of young people not in training, education or employment has fallen over the past decade. To make further progress, we will give early new deal access to 18-year-olds who claim jobseeker's allowance having already spent a period not working or studying.

Attendance Allowance: Glasgow East

David Marshall: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people in Glasgow East constituency are in receipt of the  (a) higher rate and  (b) lower rate of attendance allowance.

Anne McGuire: The latest information is in the following table.
	
		
			  People in Glasgow East parliamentary constituency who are in receipt of attendance allowance by award type, May 2007 
			   Higher rate  Lower rate 
			 Glasgow East 1,960 1,390 
			  Notes: 1. Case load figures are rounded to the nearest 10. 2. Totals may not sum due to rounding. 3. Totals show the number of people in receipt of an allowance, and exclude people with entitlement where the payment has been suspended, for example, if they are in hospital.  Source: DWP Information Directorate: Work and Pensions Longitudinal Study.

Barnardo's

Alistair Carmichael: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether he has received a copy of the report Like any other child? issued by Barnardo's charity; and if he will make a statement.

Anne McGuire: The Secretary of State has receive a copy of the Barnado's Like any other child? report.
	The Government refute the allegation that there is a policy of enforced destitution of asylum seekers and their families. Those who cannot support themselves while their application is considered are eligible for support from the Border and Immigration Agency. Once their claim has been finally determined, those who have been successful are assisted to integrate into the local community. Those whose claims have failed are expected to return home.
	If they are temporarily unable to travel (for instance they need to obtain travel documents) they can be supported. In addition, where there are children under the age of 18 in a family whose claim was unsuccessful, they continue to be supported in the same way and to the same extent as they were before their claim was determined, until they leave the UK.
	Our policy ensures that there are support safeguards in place for families and the vulnerable and those who are unable to return home.

Carbon Monoxide

Tom Levitt: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will take steps to promote the use of carbon monoxide detectors with audible alarms in all homes.

Anne McGuire: I refer the hon. Member to the ministerial statement, 26 June 2007,  Official Report, column 27WS, about the Ministerial Group on Gas Safety. The group is supporting cross-Government activity to raise awareness of CO poisoning from space and heating appliances burning fossil fuels and how it can be avoided. Appliances need to be properly installed and maintained in a safe condition by competent persons. An annual safety check is also recommended. CO alarms are advocated as a useful back-up precaution but should not be regarded as a substitute for these measures.

Child Maintenance and Enforcement Commission

Danny Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what services have been provided by  (a) Veredus and  (b) other recruitment consultants to his Department in the last five years; and what the cost was of such services.

Anne McGuire: The information requested is available from April 2005 only and is provided in the following table.
	
		
			  DWP expenditure from 2005-06 to November 2007 with Veredus and other recruitment consultancy companies 
			   million 
			   2005-06  2006-07  2007 (to Nov 2007) 
			 Veredus 0.028 0.670 0.310 
			 Other recruitment consultants 1.008 0.368 0.050 
			 Total 1.036 1.038 0.360 
		
	
	Veredus has provided a range of recruitment services to DWP, primarily in relation to high level search and selection of senior civil service posts. These services have been sourced via the Cabinet Office Framework Agreement. The services provided by other recruitment consultancy companies have covered the full range of end to end recruitment activities including advertising campaigns, sifting and selection across the full range of civil service posts. These services were sourced via the Cabinet Office Framework Agreement and the DWP CIPHER Framework Agreement.

Child Support Agency: ICT

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the timetable is for migrating all Child Support Agency cases onto the new system; and if he will make a statement.

James Plaskitt: The problems encountered by the Agency following the launch of the reforms in 2003 are well documented and were widely publicised at the time. As a result of these problems the decision to bulk migrate and convert the caseload was deferred, although from the launch of the reforms in March 2003 new rules applications to child support have continued to trigger the reactive migration of old rules cases from CSCS and following migration relevant cases have been reactively converted from old to new rules.
	The Child Maintenance and Other Payments Bill, currently under consideration by Parliament, sets out proposals for a new system of child maintenance to be in place by 2010. By the end of 2008, parents will have an option to agree arrangements between themselves and move into voluntary maintenance arrangements, no-one will be compelled to stay in either scheme. For those who choose to remain with the Commission and the new system of child maintenance we expect the case transfer process to start in 2010 and take around three years. During this period, parents will continue to have the opportunity to move to their own arrangements or, for those parents who are satisfied with their existing arrangements to continue with them, supported by a new simple cash transfer service based on the success of the current Maintenance Direct option.

Children: Maintenance

Danny Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what proportion of parents with care on income support and income-based job seeker's allowance received maintenance in each region in each quarter since January 1997.

James Plaskitt: The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for the Chief Executive. He will write to the hon. Member with the information requested.
	 Letter from Stephen Geraghty, dated 18 February 2008:
	In reply to your recent parliamentary question about the Child Support Agency, the Secretary of State promised a substantive reply from the Chief Executive.
	You asked the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what proportion of parents with care on income support and income-based job seeker's allowance received maintenance in each region in each quarter since January 1997.
	The information you requested is provided in the attached table which shows the proportion of those parents with care in receipt of Income Support or Income Based Jobseeker's Allowance who have been assessed as due to receive maintenance and who do so.
	I hope you find this helpful.
	
		
			  Proportion of parents with care in receipt of regular maintenance who are also in receipt of Income Support or Income Based Jobseeker's Allowance. 
			   Government Office Region 
			   North East  North West  Yorkshire  East Midlands  West Midlands  Eastern 
			 February 1997 46 44 43 50 45 50 
			 May 1997 49 45 45 49 47 49 
			 August 1997 47 46 45 47 48 51 
			 November 1997 52 47 47 47 48 52 
			 February 1998 50 45 45 50 48 50 
			 May 1998 52 48 47 53 50 51 
			 August 1998 54 48 48 50 50 49 
			 November 1998 53 50 49 54 51 51 
			 February 1999 54 49 48 54 53 49 
			 May 1999 53 50 51 53 53 49 
			 August 1999 55 51 51 56 52 50 
			 November 1999 54 50 52 54 51 51 
			 February 2000 54 49 53 57 52 53 
			 May 2000 56 50 55 58 52 52 
			 August 2000 56 52 54 57 52 51 
			 November 2000 56 52 55 58 50 53 
			 February 2001 53 52 55 58 51 52 
			 May 2001 54 55 56 59 53 55 
			 August 2001 55 53 56 58 53 56 
			 November 2001 53 54 58 58 54 55 
			 February 2002 56 54 56 56 54 53 
			 May 2002 60 55 58 58 57 55 
			 August 2002 60 60 57 59 57 53 
			 November 2002 60 60 57 61 56 53 
			 February 2003 60 61 59 62 59 53 
			 May 2003 62 61 60 64 60 57 
			 August 2003 57 58 54 60 59 57 
			 November 2003 57 54 53 55 55 56 
			 February 2004 55 52 53 55 53 54 
			 May 2004 53 51 50 52 51 53 
			 August 2004 54 51 49 52 50 52 
			 November 2004 52 48 47 48 48 51 
			 February 2005 52 47 46 48 48 50 
			 May 2005 53 49 47 50 51 50 
			 August 2005 53 49 49 49 49 52 
			 November 2005 53 50 50 51 48 53 
			 February 2006 53 52 49 51 49 54 
			 May 2006 54 55 51 53 54 55 
			 August 2006 54 56 52 54 55 56 
			 November 2006 53 55 53 56 55 56 
			 February 2007 53 56 51 54 54 56 
		
	
	
		
			   London  South East  South West  Wales  Scotland 
			 February 1997 44 52 53 53 41 
			 May 1997 45 53 56 56 44 
			 August 1997 46 55 55 55 44 
			 November 1997 45 55 55 53 44 
			 February 1998 45 55 57 50 45 
			 May 1998 44 56 58 53 48 
			 August 1998 44 55 60 54 48 
			 November 1998 46 56 61 56 50 
			 February 1999 45 55 60 52 48 
			 May 1999 48 56 61 56 49 
			 August 1999 47 57 61 55 50 
			 November 1999 47 56 57 56 51 
			 February 2000 49 55 58 53 51 
			 May 2000 51 55 58 54 53 
			 August 2000 51 54 57 55 53 
			 November 2000 52 56 60 59 54 
			 February 2001 51 57 61 56 53 
			 May 2001 52 58 64 61 56 
			 August 2001 52 56 63 62 56 
			 November 2001 52 56 60 62 56 
			 February 2002 53 55 61 62 57 
			 May 2002 54 57 65 62 60 
			 August 2002 55 59 64 61 60 
			 November 2002 53 60 66 62 60 
			 February 2003 55 61 67 64 61 
			 May 2003 56 63 66 63 64 
			 August 2003 54 58 63 63 59 
			 November 2003 50 56 60 58 58 
			 February 2004 45 57 57 56 56 
			 May 2004 44 54 56 55 55 
			 August 2004 43 54 56 55 53 
			 November 2004 44 52 53 51 51 
			 February 2005 45 51 54 51 51 
			 May 2005 44 51 55 52 53 
			 August 2005 45 51 55 52 52 
			 November 2005 47 52 55 51 51 
			 February 2006 48 52 55 52 52 
			 May 2006 51 54 57 57 55 
			 August 2006 53 55 58 59 56 
			 November 2006 54 54 57 57 56 
			 February 2007 54 54 56 57 55 
			  Notes:  1. Information includes the number of cases with a positive maintenance outcome where the parent with care is on Income Support or Income Based Jobseeker's Allowance as a proportion of all those with a positive assessment or calculation. This includes cases that are not charging.  2. A parent with care is deemed to be in receipt of Income Support or Income Based Jobseeker's Allowance if they or their partner is in receipt of the benefit.  3. The parent with care has been allocated to a Government office region through matching their residential postcode against the Office for National Statistics postcode directory.  4. The latest available benefits data is at February 2007.  5. Percentages are rounded to the nearest whole percent.

Christmas

Simon Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to the Answer of 23 January 2008,  Official Report, column 2084W, on Christmas, how much his Department spent on  (a) Christmas cards and  (b) postage of Christmas cards sent by Minister in 2007.

Anne McGuire: holding answer 31 January 2008
	 The Department spent a total of 1,589.90 on Christmas cards sent by its six Ministers. We are unable to provide the cost of postage as some of these cards would have been issued by hand. Records of these were not kept.

Council Tax Benefits

Julia Goldsworthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what steps his Department has taken to increase the uptake of council tax benefits among  (a) pensioners and  (b) young families.

James Plaskitt: Take-up of council tax benefit (CTB) is lowest among pensioners. Pensioners are, therefore, our priority and we have put in place measures to ensure take-up is improved.
	People applying for pension credit by telephone can access CTB (and housing benefit) at the same time, using a shortened three-page claim form which is completed for them during the phone call. Customers only have to provide information once. The income and savings information supplied for the pension credit application is used for the CTB claim.
	From October 2008 we will dispense with even the short claim form for claims made in this way. The Pension Service will collect the CTB claim information and pass it direct to the local authority for assessment.
	There are also other measures to improve take-up generally which would include young families. Annual awareness campaigns providing data to local authorities to better target entitled non-recipients will improve the administration of CTB by local authorities.

Council Tax Benefits: Rebates

Bob Neill: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what plans he has to offer council tax benefit as a rebate to improve the take-up rate.

James Plaskitt: Council tax benefit is a rebate.

Departmental Civil Agencies

Ben Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many agencies his Department has created in the last  (a) five and  (b) 10 years.

Anne McGuire: Since its establishment in April 2002 the Department for Work and Pensions has created the following agencies.
	 (a)
	
		
			  Agency  Established 
			 Jobcentre Plus April 2002 
			 The Pension Service April 2002 
			 Disability and Carers Service November 2004 
		
	
	 (b) In the five years prior to the establishment of the Department for Work and Pensions, the Appeals Service was established by the Department of Social Security in April 2000. The agency transferred to the Department for Constitutional Affairs in April 2006

Employment

Stephen Crabb: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what recent representations he has received on the proportion of UK nationals in the UK labour force.

Stephen Timms: Ministers and officials receive regular representations from a variety of sources on many issues.
	Thanks to this Government's handling of the economy and active labour market policies, there are today more UK nationals in work than there were in 1997 and a higher proportion of UK nationals of working age have jobs than they did in 1997.

Health and Safety Executive: Buildings

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the  (a) projected and  (b) actual cost was of the new Health and Safety Executive headquarters in Bootle.

Anne McGuire: The new HSE Headquarters in Bootle was procured under the Private Finance Initiative. The projected capital cost of the new headquarters was 58.3 million (2003 prices) comprising 57 million on construction which was met by the contractor and 1.3 million land purchase met by HSE. The actual cost including 1.7 million infrastructure costs was 60 million.
	HSE pays an annual charge for fully serviced accommodation in the new building. In the first year of operation (2006-07) the charge was forecast to be 7.8 million. The actual cost was 7.6 million.

Housing Benefit

Danny Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether the potential savings created by the proposed reduction in backdating of housing benefit and council tax benefit claims will be ring-fenced for redeployment in support for housing.

James Plaskitt: For any administrative savings, it is up to local authorities to decide how best to administer housing benefit and council tax benefit and how they use any savings resulting from more efficient and streamlined services.

Housing Benefit

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will publish  (a) the findings from the evaluation of the local housing allowances in the 18 pathfinder areas and  (b) evidence available to his Department on the likely effects of direct payment of housing allowance in cases where housing benefit would have been paid to the landlord.

Stephen Timms: holding answer 4 February 2008
	The Department commissioned an independent evaluation of the local housing allowance within the nine pathfinder areas. This included qualitative and quantitative evidence gathered from landlords in all the pathfinder areas. The findings of the evaluation have been published as they have become available.
	The final reports of the landlord stream of the evaluation, (reports No. 11 and 12) that were published in late 2006 explore the landlords experience of direct payment and copies are in the House Libraries and on the Department's website.
	The evaluation did not include the further nine 'second wave group' of local authorities who introduced the local housing allowance a year after the pathfinders, but their experience has informed the Department's strategy for national roll-out the local housing allowance due to commence in April this year.

Housing Benefit

Bob Neill: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what changes are being made to local housing allowance from April 2008; and what guidance has been given to local authorities accordingly.

James Plaskitt: Through the comprehensive and independent evaluation of local housing allowance (LHA) in the nine pathfinder areas, we have identified a number of changes to the scheme that will apply for national roll-out.
	We will cap the maximum amount of LHA that someone can receive (before non-dependant deductions and means-testing rules are applied) at 15 a week over and above the amount they need to pay their rent to strike a balance between choice and work incentives. In the pathfinder areas, there was no cap on excess benefits.
	The criteria used to determine the appropriate size of property for a household will be simplified to be based on the number of bedrooms to ensure they are easier to apply and understand and better reflect the way in which properties are advertised in the private market.
	LHA rates will be set at the median market rent in an area, rather than (as now) the midpoint between highest and lowest. This will provide a more accurate system that reflects the distribution of rents in an area and will ensure 50 per cent. of the properties in the local area will be affordable for housing benefit customers.
	We will roll out LHA to new and existing customers who move home or have a break in their claim. In the pathfinders, some local authorities converted all of their private rented sector case load in one big bang approach.
	The Department for Work and Pensions has an extensive programme of support and advice to help local authorities with the introduction of the local housing allowance on 7 April 2008.
	The Department delivered 20 regional seminars for local authorities throughout summer 2007. A range of implementation and guidance products have already been made available to assist local authorities with specific activities, based largely on examples of good practice provided by LHA pathfinder authorities.
	We have developed a range of products to support local authorities in communicating with their stakeholders, particularly welfare rights organisations and landlords. A key aim of the LHA is to promote financial inclusion by encouraging tenants to have their benefit paid directly into their own bank accounts, and we have provided advice and information to local authorities to enable them to support their customers in opening bank accounts.
	The Department will continue to provide communications, advice and support to local authorities in the run-up to the roll out of the local housing allowance in April 2008.

Housing Benefit

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people have claimed housing benefit in each year since 1997.

James Plaskitt: The information is in the following table.
	
		
			  Number of recipients receiving housing benefit in Great Britain 1997-2007 
			   Caseloads 
			 1997 4,639,350 
			 1998 4,474,700 
			 1999 4,313,100 
			 2000 4,033,300 
			 2001 3,874,400 
			 2002 3,812,630 
			 2003 3,796,420 
			 2004 3,879,420 
			 2005 3,956,820 
			 2006 3,990,030 
			 2007 4,018,370 
			  Notes:  1. The data refers to benefit units, which may be a single person or a couple.  2. The figures have been rounded to the nearest ten.  3. Figures for any non-responding authorities have been estimated.  4. Housing benefit figures exclude any Extended Payment cases.  5. Figures taken from May data of each year. 6. Housing benefit goes to both working age and pension households.   Source:  Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit Management Information System Quarterly 100 per cent. caseload stock-count taken in May 1997-2007.

Housing Benefit

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many housing benefit recipients aged  (a) under 24 years,  (b) between 25 and 35 years,  (c) between 40 and 59 years and  (d) over 60 years have been resident in (i) local authority, (ii) housing association and (iii) private housing in each year since 1997.

James Plaskitt: The available information is in the following table.
	Information on housing benefit recipients split by age is only available from the annual 1 per cent. sample, the latest being at May 2004. The age ranges in the table differ slightly to the information requested.
	
		
			  Housing benefit recipients by age and tenure in Great Britain for 1997 to 2004 
			  Thousand 
			  As at May each year  All Ages  24 and under  25-35  36-39  40-59  60 and over 
			  1997   
			 All Housing Benefit 4,639 382 1,062 303 1,052 1,840 
			 Local Authority Tenant 2,792 157 514 169 638 1,315 
			 Private Tenant 1,066 156 358 79 246 228 
			 Housing Association Tenant 780 70 191 54 168 297 
			
			  1998   
			 All Housing Benefit 4,475 323 1,006 303 1,030 1,813 
			 Local Authority Tenant 2,664 149 472 162 608 1,272 
			 Private Tenant 971 106 328 79 240 218 
			 Housing Association Tenant 840 68 206 61 182 323 
			
			  1999   
			 All Housing Benefit 4,313 309 926 318 1,004 1,757 
			 Local Authority Tenant 2,519 141 426 170 583 1,198 
			 Private Tenant 897 94 288 79 229 207 
			 Housing Association Tenant 897 74 212 69 191 352 
			
			  2000   
			 All Housing Benefit 4,033 270 804 310 969 1,680 
			 Local Authority Tenant 2,288 125 363 153 548 1,100 
			 Private Tenant 815 81 237 84 207 207 
			 Housing Association Tenant 931 65 205 74 215 373 
			
			  2001   
			 All Housing Benefit 3,874 249 732 293 947 1,652 
			 Local Authority Tenant 2,133 108 323 144 517 1,041 
			 Private Tenant 743 71 204 73 199 196 
			 Housing Association Tenant 998 71 205 76 231 415 
			
			  2002   
			 All Housing Benefit 3,813 247 690 294 966 1,615 
			 Local Authority Tenant 2,038 112 299 135 504 987 
			 Private Tenant 719 65 190 75 202 187 
			 Housing Association Tenant 1,056 70 200 84 261 441 
			
			  2003   
			 All Housing Benefit 3,796 250 682 305 972 1,587 
			 Local Authority Tenant 1,838 107 267 128 455 881 
			 Private Tenant 715 64 188 73 201 188 
			 Housing Association Tenant 1,244 79 227 104 315 519 
			
			  2004   
			 All Housing Benefit 3,879 272 672 291 1,026 1,618 
			 Local Authority Tenant 1,808 108 256 115 463 867 
			 Private Tenant 744 72 184 74 222 191 
			 Housing Association Tenant 1,328 93 233 102 340 560 
			  Notes: 1. Figures are rounded to the nearest thousand. 2. Figures are based on a 1 per cent. sample and are therefore subject to a degree of sampling variation. 3. The data refers to benefit units, which may be a single person or a couple. 4. Housing benefit figures exclude extended payment cases.  Source: Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit Management Information System, Annual 1 per cent. sample, taken in May 1997 to May 2004.

Housing Benefit: Antisocial Behaviour

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  how many families in each local authority have had their housing benefit withdrawn because of their anti social behavioural practices under the Government's Respect Agenda housing benefit trials;
	(2)  what level of proof is required for housing benefit to be removed under the Government's Respect Agenda housing benefit trials; and if he will make a statement.

James Plaskitt: Eight local authorities are taking part in the pilot for the sanction of housing benefit (HB) related to antisocial behaviour. The pilot began on the 1 November 2007. To date no sanctions have been applied.
	A local authority can sanction HB as a result of anti-social behaviour where a person or partner (a household) is the subject of an order for possession on grounds of antisocial behaviour and subsequently leaves the property; and, if in receipt of HB following re-housing, the household unreasonably refuses to engage with the help and support offered as specified in a written warning notice.
	In most cases, HB would be reduced, not removed.
	The local authority must be satisfied that the necessary conditions have been met for a sanction to be imposed and that the household did not comply with the requirements of the warning notice without good cause. In making any decisions in this respect, the local authority must act reasonably.

Housing Benefit: Applications

Danny Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the average time taken to process a housing benefit application by each local authority was in 2006-07.

James Plaskitt: The information has been placed in the Library.

Incapacity Benefit: Wales

Mark Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many incapacity benefit claimants there were in Wales in each of the last five years, broken down by main disabling condition.

Anne McGuire: The available information is in the following table:
	
		
			  Number of working age incapacity benefit/severe disablement allowance claimants in Wales by main disabling condition 
			   May 
			  Main disabling condition  2003  2004  2005  2006  2007 
			 All 217,660 213,250 208,630 203,450 197,060 
			 Claimants without any diagnosis code on the system 0 60 20 10 0 
			 Certain infectious and parasitic diseases 1,210 1,170 1,140 1,080 1,020 
			 Neoplasms 2,410 2,470 2,500 2,610 2,580 
			 Diseases of the blood and blood forming organs and certain diseases involving the immune mechanism 320 310 310 330 310 
			 Endocrine, nutritional and metabolic diseases 3,320 3,190 3,080 2,940 2,820 
			 Mental and behavioural disorders 72,790 74,220 74,760 75,500 75,420 
			 Diseases of the nervous system 9,920 9,850 10,010 10,010 9,910 
			 Diseases of the eye and adnexa 1,170 1,160 1,130 1,100 1,090 
			 Diseases of the ear and mastoid process 1,150 1,110 1,080 1,030 960 
			 Diseases of the circulatory system 16,380 15,240 14,100 13,040 11,830 
			 Diseases of the respiratory system 6,580 6,070 5,630 5,270 4,850 
			 Diseases of the digestive system 3,620 3,520 3,380 3,210 3,090 
			 Diseases of the skin and subcutaneous system 1,650 1,600 1,540 1,500 1,440 
			 Diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue 49,380 47,260 45,180 42,920 40,340 
			 Diseases of the genitourinary system 1,690 1,600 1,540 1,530 1,470 
			 Pregnancy, childbirth and the puerperium 410 390 360 330 320 
			 Certain conditions originating in the perinatal period 0 0 10 0 0 
			 Congenital malformations, deformations and chromosomal abnormalities 1,590 1,590 1,590 1,580 1,570 
			 Symptoms, signs and abnormal clinical and laboratory findings, not elsewhere classified 28,050 26,710 25,820 24,650 23,610 
			 Injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes 14,070 13,750 13,400 12,820 12,450 
			 Factors influencing health status and contact with health services 1,970 1,980 2,040 2,000 1,970 
			  Notes:  1. Figures are rounded to the nearest 10.  2. Totals may not sum due to rounding.  3. Causes of incapacity are based on the International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision, published by the World Health Organisation.   Source:  DWP Information Directorate 100 per cent. Work and Pensions Longitudinal Study.

Incapacity Benefits: Industrial Diseases

Michael Clapham: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many claims have been received and how many disablement benefit awards have been made for sensorinueral loss to claimants with vibration white finger PD A11 in the same period since the prescription of the disease was amended, broken down by region.

Stephen Timms: holding answer 31 January 2008
	Information about the number of awards is not yet available. Information is not available at regional level. The available information is in the following table.
	
		
			  PD A11 claims, examinations and diagnoses: GB 
			   Number 
			 PD A11 claims received 2,148 
			 PD A11 medical examinations completed 491 
			 PD A11 cases diagnosed on vascular symptoms 64 
			 PD A11 cases diagnosed on sensorinueral symptoms 74 
			  Notes: 1. The figures in the table are very early indicative figures. 2. Figures are not validated and may be subject to revision at a later date.

Incapacity Benefits: Industrial Diseases

Michael Clapham: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many claims have been received from coal miners or former coal miners and how many disablement benefit awards have been made in relation to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease since 1999, broken down by region.

Anne McGuire: holding answer 31 January 2008
	The available information on industrial injuries disablement benefit claims has been placed in the Library.

Incapacity Benefits: Industrial Diseases

Michael Clapham: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many disablement benefit awards have been made to coal miners or former coal miners with pneumoconiosis since 2004; and how many of those have been paid compensation under the  (a) 1974 Coal Industry Scheme and  (b) Pneumoconiosis etc. (Working Compensation) Act 1979, broken down by region.

Anne McGuire: holding answer 31 January 2008
	 Information about the number of awards of industrial injuries disablement benefit (IIDB) made to coal miners or former coal miners with pneumoconiosis is in the table.
	It is not possible to say how many of these were also paid compensation under the 1974 Coal Industry Scheme and Pneumoconiosis etc. (Working Compensation) Act 1979.
	
		
			  IIDB first diagnosed PD D 1  pneumoconiosis assessments made to people who worked in the mining/quarrying industry: cases in payment 
			   March 2004  March 2005  March 2006  March 2007 
			 North East 30 10 10 20 
			 Yorkshire and Humber 40 40 30 20 
			 East Midlands 130 80 50 40 
			 London 
			 South East 
			 South West 
			 West Midlands10 
			 North West  10 10 0 
			 Wales 40 50 30 20 
			 Scotland 10
			 Overseas 
			  Notes: 1. ''denotes nil or negligible. 2. Totals may not sum due to rounding. 3. Figures are rounded to the nearest 10.  Source: IIDB Clerical Record System, 100 per cent. data.

Income Support: Polygamy

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people in polygamous marriages received income support in each year since 2000.

James Plaskitt: The information is not recorded centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Industrial Accidents: Construction

Michael Clapham: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many  (a) fatalities and  (b) serious injuries have been recorded in the construction industry in 2007-08 to date.

Anne McGuire: In the first six months (1 April 2007 to 30 September 2007) of 2007-08, there were 32 fatalities to workers in construction reported to HSE and local authorities, two fatalities to non-workers, and 1,903 defined major injuries to employees.

Industrial Accidents: Construction

Michael Clapham: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many prosecutions there have been in connection with fatal injuries in the construction industry in each region in  (a) 2005-06 and  (b) 2006-07; and what level of fines were imposed by the court in each case.

Anne McGuire: There were 33 prosecution cases brought in 2005-06 and 40 brought in 2006-07, in connection with fatal injuries in the construction industry. The courts imposed total fines of 2,092,371. A full regional breakdown of these figures is given as follows.
	
		
			  Government office region  Number of fatalities resulting in prosecution  Number of prosecution cases  Number  of convictions  Total fines ()  Average fine per conviction () 
			  2005-06  
			 South West 0 0 0 0 0 
			 South East 1 4 4 90,000 22,500 
			 London 3 4 4 46,000 11,500 
			 East of England 2 2 2 45,000 22,500 
			 East Midlands 1 1 1 15,000 15,000 
			 West Midlands 3 3 2 50,000 25,000 
			 Yorkshire 1 1 1 50,000 50,000 
			 North West 0 0 0 0 0 
			 North East 5 4 2 16,250 8,125 
			 Wales 4 6 2 8,000 4,000 
			 Scotland 4 8 3 130,000 43,333 
			   
			  2006-07( 1)  
			 South West 0 0 0 0 0 
			 South East 3 3 2 126,000 63,000 
			 London (2)6 7 5 461,621 92,324 
			 East of England 3 6 5 240,000 48,000 
			 East Midlands 3 3 1 50,000 50,000 
			 West Midlands 2 2 2 170,000 85,000 
			 Yorkshire 2 4 4 64,000 16,000 
			 North West 5 10 9 471,000 52,333 
			 North East 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Wales 2 2 2 45,000 22,500 
			 Scotland 3 3 3 8,500 2,833 
			 (1) Provisional. (2) This figure includes a fatality which was also prosecuted in 2005-06.

Intimidation

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many cases of bullying were reported in  (a) his Department and  (b) its agencies in each of the last 12 months.

Anne McGuire: The Department and its agencies does not record information in a way that makes it possible to identify the total number of reported bullying cases. Information is available on the number of complaints of bullying referred for internal investigation. The information available at present is shown for each month from January 2007 to December 2007 in the following table.
	
		
			  Total number of complaints of bullying referred for investigation to the Department's central investigations team January to December 2007 
			  Month  Total number of complaints  Breakdown by business 
			 January 7 7 JCP 
			
			 February 13 11 JCP 
			   1 C and CS 
			   1 TPS 
			
			 March 15 14 JCP 
			   1 CSA 
			
			 April 12 8 JCP 
			   2 CSA 
			   1 TPS 
			   1 C and CS 
			
			 May 19 13 JCP 
			   1 TPS 
			   2 DCS 
			   3 C and CS 
			
			 June 18 17 JCP 
			   1 C and CS 
			
			 July 12 8 JCP 
			   3 DCS 
			   1 TPS 
			
			 August 10 8 JCP 
			   1 CSA 
			   1 TPS 
			
			 September 4 3 JCP 
			   1 TPS 
			
			 October 12 11 JCP 
			   1 TPS 
			
			 November 10 9 JCP 
			   1 C and CS 
			 December 15 8 JCP 
			   7 CSA 
			  Key: JCP = Jobcentre Plus CSA = Child Support Agency TPS = The Pension Service DCS = Disability and Carers Service C and CS = Central and Corporate Services

Jobcentre Plus

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what opportunities are available through the Jobcentre Plus network to jobseekers who have been out of work for less than six months; and if he will make a statement.

Stephen Timms: The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the chief executive of Jobcentre Plus, Lesley Strathie. I have asked her to provide the hon. Member with the information requested.
	 Letter from Lesley Strathie, dated 18 February 2008:
	The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question asking what opportunities are available through the Jobcentre Plus network to jobseekers who have been out of work for less than six months. This is something that falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus.
	Everyone claiming Jobseeker's Allowance is seen by a personal adviser. The purpose of this interview is primarily to discuss and agree the type of work being sought and those steps that, if taken, will offer the best chance of finding work. Once agreed, this information is recorded in the Jobseeker's Agreement, which is signed jointly by the adviser and the customer, and is reviewed at regular intervals.
	As part of the above process, customers are given information, advice and guidance about the range of Jobcentre Plus services, including our telephony based job-matching service (Jobseeker Direct) and our Internet job bank, and how to make best use of these and other vacancy sources. We also encourage customers who have obvious basic skills or language needs to address this through the Employment Skills Programme provided by the Learning and Skills Council or by making use of locally available provision.
	Following the initial interview, people are usually required to attend their nearest Jobcentre Plus office on a fortnightly basis to discuss what the customer has been doing to find work; make sure they remain entitled to Jobseeker's Allowance by being available for and actively seeking work; and to see what help, if any, is required.
	About two thirds of all those claiming Jobseeker's Allowance leave benefit during the first 13 weeks of a claim and around four fifths within the first six months, but for those who do not, additional help is provided through another, more in-depth, interview with a personal adviser. The purpose of this interview is to review the Jobseeker's Agreement, making sure that it is still helpful. As part of this process the adviser will, where appropriate, discuss and agree ways in which the customer might broaden their jobsearch to increase the prospects of finding work. Following this interview, people are asked to attend the Jobcentre Plus office on a weekly (rather than fortnightly) basis, thereby increasing the support that is available.
	Over and above the support outlined above, those people who are particularly disadvantaged in the labour market, e.g. those with a health problem or disability, a literacy or numeracy problem, a criminal record or a history of drink/drug misuse, can access additional help through early entry to the New Deal. Early access to New Deal is considered and agreed by advisers where it is clear that the customer has significant difficulties, making the prospect of finding work much less likely without additional help. The New Deal provides more intensive help through the support of a personal adviser and a range of opportunities to help overcome significant barriers to employment. New Deal also provides access to the Adviser Discretion Fund, which can be used to overcome more immediate barriers to employment, for example, clothing to attend interviews, or tools not provided by the employer. Similarly, advisers may, during the first six months, also grant early access to Programme Centre provision, which can provide additional help for those people who need to improve motivation and confidence, and their basic jobsearch skills.
	But we have recognised that there is still more we can do. In 'Ready for work: full employment in our generation' we set out our plans to provide even more support to customers. A stepped programme of support will be available for all Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA) customers from day one. Harder-to-help people will be fast-tracked to more intensive support and all people will have an initial skill screening followed by a more in-depth skills health check at the six-month stage if they have not already found work.
	I hope this information is helpful and assures you of our intent to provide people with the best possible service, aimed at helping them into work as soon as possible.

Jobseeker's Allowance

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many and what proportion of men aged between 18 and 24 years of age have claimed jobseeker's allowance since it was established.

James Plaskitt: The available information is in the following table.
	
		
			  Number and percentage of male claimants of jobseeker's allowance aged 18 to 24 in Great Britain 
			  Month ending  Number  Percentage( 1) 
			 October 1996 333,600 13.8 
			 May 1997 272,045 11.5 
			 May 1998 226,725 9.7 
			 May 1999 195,505 8.3 
			 May 2000 170,850 7.2 
			 May 2001 158,205 6.6 
			 May 2002 156,265 6.3 
			 May 2003 164,330 6.4 
			 May 2004 153,105 5.8 
			 May 2005 164,950 6.1 
			 May 2006 191,340 6.9 
			 May 2007 173,465 6.2 
			 December 2007 155,275 5.6 
			 (1) Percentage of the population of men aged 18 to 24.  Notes: 1. Number of claimants are rounded to the nearest five. Percentages are rounded to one decimal place. 2. Jobseeker's allowance was introduced in October 1996 and replaced unemployment benefit and income support as the benefit for unemployed people seeking work. 3. Some people may appear more than once in this table.  Source: Count of unemployment-related benefits, Jobcentre Plus computer systems (computer held cases only). ONS population estimates.

Jobseeker's Allowance: Disqualification

Graham Stuart: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  how many weeks sanctions were applied to those recipients of jobseeker's allowance who did not apply for a job opportunity on first offence, broken down by Jobcentre Plus or Careers Service in each local authority area in each year since 1997; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  how many recipients of jobseeker's allowance who have failed to apply for a job opportunity were sanctioned on the first offence, broken down by individual Jobcentre Plus or Careers Service in each local authority area in each year since 1997; and if he will make a statement;
	(3)  how many recipients of jobseeker's allowance were found not to have applied for a job opportunity, broken down by individual Jobcentre Plus or Careers Service in each local authority area in each year since 1997; and if he will make a statement.

James Plaskitt: The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus, Lesley Strathie. I have asked her to provide the hon. Member with the information requested.
	 Letter from Mel Groves, dated 18 February 2008:
	The Secretary of State has asked Lesley Strathie to reply to your questions about the number of people who, in each of the last 10 years, have had their benefits reduced as a consequence of not applying for, or taking a reasonable job opportunity. This is something that falls within the responsibilities delegated to Ms Strathie as Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus. I am replying in her absence as Acting Chief Executive.
	Information on how many weeks sanctions were applied to recipients of Jobseeker's Allowance who failed to apply for a job opportunity on first offence is only available from October 2005, the other information supplied is available from April 2000. The available information is in the attached tables broken down by Jobcentre Plus District. This information will be placed in the Library.

Jobseeker's Allowance: Disqualification

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many unemployed non-disabled persons had their jobseeker's allowance suspended for  (a) two weeks and  (b) more than two weeks in each of the last 10 years.

James Plaskitt: The available information is in the following table:
	
		
			  Number of non-disabled people with jobseeker's allowance sanctions by length of sanction( 1) 
			   April 2000 to March 2001  April 2001 to March 2002  April 2002 to March 2003  April 2003 to March 2004  April 2004 to March 2005  April 2005 to March 2006  April 2006 to March 2007  March 2007 to July 2007 
			 All sanctions 157,650 148,850 160,010 143,890 134,800 148,510 181,240 81,750 
			  
			 Varied length sanctions(2) 73,500 72,960 79,660 68,040 60,500 56,460 50,320 17,080 
			 2 weeks   2,140 650 
			 Less than 2 weeks   10,760 3,370 
			 More than 2 weeks   37,420 13,060 
			  
			 Fixed length sanctions 13,960 13,030 13,730 13,380 12,830 14,320 20,860 10,840 
			 2 weeks 11,350 11,000 11,380 11,030 10,590 12,080 17,330 8,510 
			 Less than 2 weeks 10 10 10 10 10 10 0 0 
			 More than 2 weeks 2,610 2,020 2,350 2,350 2,230 2,240 3,530 2,330 
			  
			 Entitlement sanctions(3) 70,190 62,860 66,620 62,470 61,470 77,730 110,060 53,830 
			 (1) Individuals and decisions based figures are rounded to the nearest 10. Totals may not sum due to rounding.  (2 )Length of variable sanction is available only from October 2005.  (3 )Entitlement Sanctions refer to cases where benefit is suspended because there is doubt about the claimant's availability, or whether they are actively seeking employment. Benefit can be suspended indefinitely until the doubts are resolved. They should be counted as a suspension rather than a sanction.   Source:  DWP Information Directorate: Jobseeker's Allowance Sanctions and Disallowance Decisions Statistics Database.

Low Incomes: Council Tax

Danny Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  what proportion of people in relative poverty in each region paid full council tax in the last year for which information is available; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  how many households in relative poverty in each region paid full council tax in the latest period for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement;
	(3)  pursuant to the answer of 8 January 2008,  Official Report, column 436W, on low incomes: council tax, how many people constitute the  (a) 2.7 million households in relative poverty before housing costs and  (b) the 3 million households in relative poverty after housing costs, broken down by region; and if he will make a statement.

Stephen Timms: holding answer 16 January 2008
	The available information is in the following tables.
	Fewer poor households would pay full council tax, if households took up their entitlement to council tax benefit.
	
		
			  Proportion of individuals in relative poverty paying full council tax, by region (three-year average) 
			  Region  Before  H ousing  C osts  After  H ousing  C osts 
			 North East 51 48 
			 North West 54 52 
			 Yorkshire and the Humber 56 53 
			 East Midlands 63 62 
			 West Midlands 56 54 
			 East of England 67 65 
			 London 57 51 
			 South East 70 67 
			 South West 66 64 
			 Wales 59 55 
			 Scotland 52 51 
			 Great Britain 60 58 
			  Source:  Family Resources Survey 2003-04, 2004-05 and 2005-06 
		
	
	
		
			  Number of households (million) in relative poverty paying full council tax, by region (three-year average) 
			  Region  Before  H ousing  C osts  After  H ousing  C osts 
			 North East 0.1 0.1 
			 North West 0.3 0.3 
			 Yorkshire and the Humber 0.2 0.2 
			 East Midlands 0.2 0.2 
			 West Midlands 0.3 0.3 
			 East of England 0.2 0.3 
			 London 0.3 0.4 
			 South East 0.3 0.4 
			 South West 0.2 0.3 
			 Wales 0.2 0.2 
			 Scotland 0.2 0.2 
			 Great Britain 2.7 3.0 
			  Source:  Family Resources Survey 2003-04, 2004-05 and 2005-06 
		
	
	
		
			  Number of individuals (millions) in relative poverty paying full council tax, by region (three-year average) 
			  Region  Before Housing Costs  After Housing Costs 
			 North East 0.3 0.3 
			 North West 0.7 0.8 
			 Yorkshire and the Humber 0.5 0.6 
			 East Midlands 0.5 0.6 
			 West Midlands 0.6 0.6 
			 East of England 0.5 0.6 
			 London 0.8 1.0 
			 South East 0.7 0.9 
			 South West 0.5 0.6 
			 Wales 0.4 0.4 
			 Scotland 0.5 0.5 
			 Great Britain 6.1 7.3 
			  Notes: 1. The information shown is for Great Britain. 2. Three year averages are given for each of the regions as robust single year estimates can not be produced at this disaggregated level. 3. The totals shown for Great Britain are for 2005-06 only and are not three year averages. 4. The income measures used to derive the estimates shown employ the same methodology as the Department for Work and Pensions publication 'Households Below Average Income' series, which uses disposable household income, equivalised for household size and composition, as an income measure as a proxy for standard of living. 5. The figures are based on OECD equivalisation factors. 6. The preferred measure of low income is by using a threshold of 60 per cent. of the contemporary median income. This is an internationally recognised measure. 7. Figures have been presented on both a Before Housing Cost and After Housing Cost basis. For Before Housing Cost, housing costs (such as rent, water rates, mortgage interest payments, structural insurance payments and ground rent and service charges) are not deducted from income, while for After Housing Cost they are. This means that After Housing Cost incomes will generally be lower than Before Housing Cost. 8. Tables show numbers in millions rounded to the nearest 100,000.  Source:  Family Resources Survey 2003-04, 2004-05 and 2005-06

Natural Gas: Safety

Tom Levitt: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many prosecutions there were of domestic landlords for breach of gas safety regulations in each of the last five years for which figures are available.

Anne McGuire: The information requested is in the following table:
	
		
			  Proceedings instituted by HSE under the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1994 and 1998 
			   Total offences prosecuted  Offences prosecuted against s36( 1)  (landlords duties) 
			 2002-03 111 21 
			 2003-04 97 28 
			 2004-05 74 9 
			 2005-06 89 31 
			 2006-07 104 9 
			 (1) Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998.   Note:  Offences prosecuted refer to an individual breach of health and safety legislation; a prosecution case may include more than one offence.

New Deal for Young People

Graham Brady: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people have completed a New Deal for young people programme  (a) in total,  (b) twice,  (c) three times,  (d) four times,  (e) five times and  (f) more than five times.

Anne McGuire: New deal for young people (NDYP) is a mandatory programme for people aged 18-24 who have been claiming jobseeker's allowance (JSA) for six months. Although there are different stages to the programme, people are not necessarily expected to complete all elements as the aim is to get them into work as soon as possible. There is not, thus, a strict definition of 'completing' NDYP. Those who return to claim JSA again with 13 weeks of leaving NDYP return at the point at which they left the programme.
	Information on the number of people who have started on the programme, and the number of times they have started is in the following table. Data for those starting more than once will include those who have completed all the elements of NDYP, as well as those who have left NDYP at an earlier stage and returned to the programme.
	
		
			  New deal for young people 
			  Number of people who have started  Number  Proportion (percentage) 
			 In total 1,237,560 100 
			 Once only 887,030 71.7 
			 Twice only 245,320 19.8 
			 Three times only 78,840 6.37 
			 Four times only 21,720 1.76 
			 Five times only 4,120 0.33 
			 More than five times 530 0.04 
			  Notes: 1. Latest data are to August 2007. 2. Figures are rounded to the nearest 10.  Source: Department for Work and Pensions Information Directorate

New Deal Schemes

Graham Brady: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people have completed a New Deal for the over 55s programme  (a) in total,  (b) twice,  (c) three times,  (d) four times,  (e) five times and  (f) more than five times.

Anne McGuire: New deal 50 plus is a voluntary programme for people who have been claiming an eligible benefit for six months. People can leave the programme at any point and there is thus no definition of 'completing' the programme.
	The available information on the number of people who have started on the programme, and the number of times they have started is in the following table.
	
		
			  New deal 50 plus 
			  Number of people who have started  Number  Proportion (percentage) 
			 In total 90,220 100 
			 Twice only 2,190 2.42 
			 Three times only 70 0.07 
			 Four times only   
			 Five times only   
			 More than five times   
			  Notes: 1. Data on starts to new deal 50 plus are only available from January 2004. 2. Latest data are to August 2007. 3. '' indicates a nil or negligible figure. 4. Figures are rounded to the nearest 10.  Source: Department for Work and Pensions Information Directorate

New Deal Schemes: Essex

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many of the people who participated in a new deal scheme in 2007 were unemployed in  (a) Romford,  (b) Essex and  (c) Greater London at the most recent date for which figures are available.

Stephen Timms: Of those who participated on a new deal programme between January and May 2007, the numbers classified as unemployed on the claimant count on 31 May 2007 were: 160 in Romford; 3,090 in Essex, and 26,610 in Greater London, a considerable proportion of whom were still on the new deal.
	 Notes:
	1. Latest available data for new deal participants is to May 2007.
	2. Data includes all those on any of the six new deal programmes who were classified on the claimant unemployment count as unemployed as a result of their claim for jobseeker's allowance (JSA) and/or national insurance credits (NICs).
	3. Data is for those who had participated on new deal during the period January to May 2007 who were recorded as unemployed on 31 May 2007.
	4. The county of Essex comprises the local authorities of: Harlow; Epping Forest; Brentwood; Basildon; Castle Point; Rochford; Maldon; Chelmsford; Uttlesford; Braintree; Colchester; Tendring; Thurrock, and Southend-on-Sea.
	5. Data for Greater London is for the London Jobcentre Plus district.
	6. Data excludes those on a mandatory new deal for young people or new deal 25 plus option who were in receipt of a new deal allowance on the 31 May 2007
	7. Figures are rounded to the nearest 10.

Pensioners

Danny Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what his estimate is of the number of people who will reach state pension age in each year until 2050.

Angela Eagle: I have been asked to reply.
	The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician who has been asked to reply.
	 Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated 18 February 2008:
	As National Statistician I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question regarding estimates of the number of people who will reach state pension age in each year until 2050. (185091)
	The attached table gives the numbers projected to reach state pension age in the United Kingdom in each calendar year from 2008 to 2050. These estimates are derived from the 2006-based national population projections for the United Kingdom published in October 2007. They allow for the raising of state pension age for women from age 60 to age 65 over the period 2010 to 2020 and also the subsequent increases in state pension age for men and women during 2024-26, 2034-36 and 2044-46.
	
		
			  Numbers projected to reach state pension age in the United Kingdom in each calendar year from 2008 to 2050 
			  Thousand 
			  Calendar year  Males  Females  Total 
			 2008 308 397 704 
			 2009 314 376 691 
			 2010 318 215 533 
			 2011 358 179 537 
			 2012 383 177 561 
			 
			 2013 359 176 535 
			 2014 340 175 515 
			 2015 329 176 504 
			 2016 323 175 498 
			 2017 322 177 499 
			 
			 2018 325 175 501 
			 2019 326 174 500 
			 2020 329 322 652 
			 2021 339 362 701 
			 2022 352 374 727 
			 
			 2023 361 383 744 
			 2024 212 225 437 
			 2025 183 196 380 
			 2026 341 366 707 
			 2027 382 412 794 
			 
			 2028 390 423 813 
			 2029 399 433 832 
			 2030 407 439 846 
			 2031 410 440 850 
			 2032 411 438 849 
			 
			 2033 408 434 842 
			 2034 234 250 484 
			 2035 198 213 412 
			 2036 357 383 740 
			 2037 386 416 802 
			 
			 2038 382 414 796 
			 2039 371 399 769 
			 2040 356 379 735 
			 2041 343 366 710 
			 2042 336 358 695 
			 
			 2043 329 351 680 
			 2044 189 203 392 
			 2045 163 176 339 
			 2046 308 332 639 
			 2047 358 381 739 
			 
			 2048 375 395 770 
			 2049 377 399 776 
			 2050 383 402 784

Pensioners

Danny Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what his estimate is of the number and proportion of pensioners who will be living  (a) alone and  (b) with a partner in each year until 2050.

Angela Eagle: I have been asked to reply.
	The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.
	 Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated 18 February 2008:
	As National Statistician I have been asked to reply to your question regarding estimates of the number and proportion of pensioners who will be living  (a) alone and  (b) with a partner in each year until 2050. (185093)
	The following table shows the projected population of state pensionable age in England and Wales who are (i) single, widowed, divorced or separated, but not cohabiting and (ii) married or cohabiting. The figures come from the latest (2003-based) official marital status projections published in March 2005. These are only available for England and Wales and up to the year 2031. ONS plan to publish new marital status projections later in 2008. These will be consistent with the latest (2006-based) national projections by age and sex published in October 2007.
	The projections in the tables allow for the raising of state pension age for women from age 60 to age 65 over the period 2010 to 2020 and also the subsequent increase in state pension age to 66 for both men and women during 2024-26.
	
		
			  Projected male population of state pensionable age, England and Wales, 2008 to 2031 
			  Males  Total  Single, widowed, divorced or separated (not cohabiting)  Married or cohabiting 
			   million  million  percentage  million  percentage 
			 2008 3.9 1.1 28 2.8 72 
			 2009 4.0 1.1 28 2.8 72 
			 2010 4.1 1.2 28 2.9 72 
			 2011 4.2 1.2 29 3.0 71 
			 2012 4.3 1.2 29 3.1 71 
			 2013 4.5 1.3 29 3.2 71 
			 2014 4.6 1.3 29 3.3 71 
			 2015 4.7 1.4 29 3.3 71 
			 2016 4.8 1.4 29 3.4 71 
			 2017 4.8 1.4 29 3.4 71 
			 2018 4.9 1.5 30 3.5 70 
			 2019 5.0 1.5 30 3.5 70 
			 2020 5.1 1.5 30 3.5 70 
			 2021 5.2 1.6 31 3.6 69 
			 2022 5.2 1.6 31 3.6 69 
			 2023 5.3 1.7 31 3.7 69 
			 2024 5.4 1.7 32 3.7 68 
			 2025 5.3 1.7 32 3.6 68 
			 2026 5.3 1.7 33 3.6 67 
			 2027 5.4 1.8 33 3.6 67 
			 2028 5.5 1.8 33 3.7 67 
			 2029 5.6 1.9 33 3.7 67 
			 2030 5.7 1.9 34 3.8 66 
			 2031 5.9 2.0 34 3.9 66 
			  Note:  Totals may not add due to rounding.   Source:  2003-based marital status projections, Government Actuary's Department 
		
	
	
		
			  Projected female population of state pensionable age, England and Wales, 2008 to 2031 
			  Females  Total  Single, widowed, divorced or separated (not cohabiting)  Married or cohabiting 
			   million  million  percentage  million  percentage 
			 2008 6.6 3.2 48 3.4 52 
			 2009 6.7 3.2 48 3.5 52 
			 2010 6.8 3.2 48 3.5 52 
			 2011 6.7 3.2 48 3.5 52 
			 2012 6.6 3.2 48 3.4 52 
			 2013 6.5 3.2 49 3.4 51 
			 2014 6.5 3.2 49 3.3 51 
			 2015 6.4 3.1 49 3.2 51 
			 2016 6.3 3.1 50 3.2 50 
			 2017 6.2 3.1 50 3.1 50 
			 2018 6.2 3.1 50 3.1 50 
			 2019 6.1 3.1 51 3.0 49 
			 2020 6.1 3.1 51 3.0 49 
			 2021 6.1 3.1 51 3.0 49 
			 2022 6.2 3.2 51 3.1 49 
			 2023 6.3 3.2 51 3.1 49 
			 2024 6.4 3.3 51 3.1 49 
			 2025 6.3 3.3 52 3.1 48 
			 2026 6.3 3.3 52 3.0 48 
			 2027 6.4 3.4 52 3.1 48 
			 2028 6.6 3.4 52 3.1 48 
			 2029 6.7 3.5 52 3.2 48 
			 2030 6.8 3.6 52 3.3 48 
			 2031 7.0 3.6 52 3.3 48 
			  Note:  Totals may not add due to rounding.   Source:  2003-based marital status projections, Government Actuary's Department 
		
	
	
		
			  Projected total population of state pensionable age, England and Wales, 2008 to 2031 
			  Persons  Total  Single, widowed, divorced or separated (not cohabiting)  Married or cohabiting 
			   million  million  percentage  million  percentage 
			 2008 10.5 4.3 41 6.2 59 
			 2009 10.7 4.4 41 6.3 59 
			 2010 10.8 4.4 41 6.4 59 
			 2011 10.8 4.4 41 6.4 59 
			 2012 10.9 4.4 41 6.5 59 
			 2013 11.0 4.5 41 6.5 59 
			 2014 11.0 4.5 41 6.5 59 
			 2015 11.0 4.5 41 6.5 59 
			 2016 11.1 4.5 41 6.5 59 
			 2017 11.1 4.5 41 6.5 59 
			 2018 11.1 4.6 41 6.5 59 
			 2019 11.1 4.6 41 6.5 59 
			 2020 11.1 4.6 42 6.5 58 
			 2021 11.3 4.7 42 6.6 58 
			 2022 11.5 4.8 42 6.7 58 
			 2023 11.7 4.9 42 6.8 58 
			 2024 11.8 5.0 42 6.8 58 
			 2025 11.7 5.0 43 6.7 57 
			 2026 11.6 5.0 43 6.6 57 
			 2027 11.8 5.1 43 6.7 57 
			 2028 12.1 5.3 44 6.8 56 
			 2029 12.3 5.4 44 6.9 56 
			 2030 12.6 5.5 44 7.1 56 
			 2031 12.8 5.6 44 7.2 56 
			  Note:  Totals may not add due to founding.   Source:  2003-based marital status projections, Government Actuary's Department.

Pensioners: Hendon

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many pensioners in  (a) Hendon and  (b) the UK received (i) pension credit and (ii) pension guarantee credit in the latest period for which figures are available; and in each case, what the average amount received each week was.

Mike O'Brien: In Hendon 4,360 households receive pension credit with an average award of 73.63, of which 2,410 households receive guarantee credit only with an average award of 102.65 and 1,450 households receive both guarantee credit and savings credit with an average award of 46.67, as at August 2007.
	In Great Britain 2,734,530 households receive pension credit with an average award of 50.29, of which 811,260 households receive guarantee credit only with an average award of 83.69 and 1,326,130 households receive both guarantee credit and savings credit with an average award of 46.50, as at August 2007.
	In Northern Ireland Pension Credit administration is a matter for the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.
	 Notes:
	1. The figures provided are early estimates. The preferred data source for figures supplied by DWP is the Work and Pensions Longitudinal Study (WPLS). However, the figures provided are the latest available figures, which are taken from the GMS scan at 31 August 2007. These are adjusted using the historical relationship between WPLS and GMS data to give an estimate of the final WPLS figure.
	2. Caseloads are rounded to the nearest 10.
	3. Households are those people who claim pension credit either for themselves only or on behalf of a household.
	4. Parliamentary constituencies are assigned by matching postcodes against the relevant postcode directory.
	 Source:
	DWP 100 per cent. data from the Generalised Matching Service (GMS) Pension Credit scan taken as at 31 August 2007.

Pensions Service and the Disability and Carers Directorate

Tom Levitt: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what steps he has taken to ensure that  (a) families of disabled children and  (b) disabled people of working age realise benefits from the proposed merger of the Pensions Service and the Disability and Carers Directorate of his Department.

Anne McGuire: Matters in respect of the Disability and Carers Service fall within the responsibility of the Acting Chief Executive of the Agency, Mrs. Vivien Hopkins. She will write to the hon. Member with the information requested.
	 Letter from Vivien Hopkins, dated 18 February 2008:
	You asked the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps he has taken to ensure that  (a) families of disabled children and  (b) disabled people of working age realise benefits from the proposed merger of the Pension Service and the Disability and Carers Service of his Department.
	The Minister for Disabled People, Anne McGuire MP, promised you a substantive reply from the Acting Chief Executive of the Disability and Carers Service.
	The creation of the new Agency will not of itself change the way in which DWP delivers services to its working age customers and children. Both the Disability and Carers Service and The Pension Service currently hold joint Board meetings with Jobcentre Plus and will continue this in the future, while pursuing even closer working to ensure a joined-up service to working age customers. The Disability and Carers Service has set in train work to look at improving services for disabled children and their families, and this will continue to be a priority.
	I hope this reply is helpful.

Pensions: Anniversaries

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what plans he has to mark the centenary of the introduction of the old age pension in the UK.

Mike O'Brien: The introduction of the first state pension as an alternative to the Poor Law is something to be celebrated.
	We plan to mark the centenary of the introduction of the state pension as a key element of the celebrations around the second UK Older People's Day in October 2008.

Reinstatement of Deficiency Notices Programme

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will place in the Library a specimen copy of the letter sent by his Department in 2004-05 to women over pension age as part of the Reinstatement of Deficiency Notices Programme.

James Plaskitt: holding answer 3 December 2007
	The information has been placed in the Library.

Shaw Trust

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the value was of the Provider Led Pathways to Work contract awarded to the Shaw Trust in Hampshire.

Anne McGuire: holding answer 28 January 2008
	The Shaw Trust were awarded a phase 2 Provider Led Pathways to Work contract for the Hampshire and Isle of Wright Jobcentre Plus district, which is worth a total indicative contract value of 18,260,000.
	The Provider Led Pathways to Work contracts were let with the expectation of a certain contract value. However, actual contract expenditure may be greater or less than that expected value, dependent on customer volumes and the provider performance levels achieved.

Social Fund

John Battle: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when the Secretary of State will respond to the social fund review; and if he will make a statement.

James Plaskitt: The discretionary social fund plays an important role in helping vulnerable people meet the costs of large items of expenditure; in 2006-07 over 2.6 million awards were made.
	Operational aspects of the scheme are kept under review to meet our aims of improving delivery and effectiveness. We are also considering longer term reform of the budgeting loans scheme in the context of the Government's wider financial inclusion strategy.
	The Government's financial inclusion action plan for 2008 to 2011 announced plans to conduct a feasibility study to look into whether the private and third sectors could be brought into partnership with the Government in delivering a reformed social fund budgeting loans scheme.

Social Security Benefits

Danny Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  what pilots his Department and Jobcentre Plus have carried out to evaluate the effectiveness of online access to better off calculations;
	(2)  when better off calculations will be made available online;
	(3)  what training Jobcentre Plus staff will be given of the use of the online better off calculations software.

Anne McGuire: The My DWP project is delivering the first stage of a secure customer account on the internet, it will be accessible via the Directgov website. The initial release in spring 2008 will focus on customer inquiries and establishing the IT platform to enable further releases to follow as the DWP Change programme progresses. The next release planned for June will include online access to better off calculations.
	To aid the design of the better off calculator, a cross section of citizens, ranging from jobseekers to pensioners were involved in the early customer engagement workshops during July 2007. Their feedback has been invaluable in informing the overall design. We continue our dialogue with our customers and front line staff to ensure that the new service will meet their needs.
	The second release of the My DWP project, scheduled for June, will introduce the benefit adviser service. The website will then provide a self service channel for citizens to find the benefits they may be entitled to; help themselves find work and plan for retirement. Better off calculations will form part of this suite of services.
	We are currently working with departmental agencies to determine the implementation approach for the release of the better off calculator, including training needs. Because of this we are not yet in a position to state definitively what training will be given to Jobcentre Plus staff. However, the expectation is that the training will be low key.

Social Security Benefits: Arrears

Danny Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  what steps are being taken by his Department to pay benefit claimants benefits not paid in 2006-07 due to  (a) official and  (b) customer error;
	(2)  what estimate he has made of the time it will take to pay benefit claimants the benefits underpaid in 2006-07 due to  (a) official and  (b) customer error;
	(3)  what proportion of benefit claimants who were underpaid benefits in 2006-07 due to  (a) official and ( b) customer error have now received their full benefit entitlement for that year.

James Plaskitt: Reducing underpayments or overpayments of benefit is a priority for the Department. To address this, we are implementing our comprehensive and ambitious error reduction strategy, published on 24 January 2007. Copies of our error strategyGetting Welfare Right: Tackling Error in the benefits systemare available in the Library and can also be viewed online at:
	www.dwp.gov.uk/publications/dwp/2007/error_strategy.asp
	In all cases where underpayments are identified, monies due are paid as soon as possible.
	It is not possible to say what proportion of the total number of claimants who were underpaid in 2006-07 have had their benefits corrected.

Winter Fuel Payments

Fraser Kemp: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people received a winter fuel payment in  (a) Houghton and Washington, East constituency and  (b) the City of Sunderland in the most recent period for which figures are available.

Mike O'Brien: In winter 2006-07 we made 16,670 winter fuel payments to people in the Houghton and Washington, East constituency, and 54,090 winter fuel payments to people in the Sunderland local authority. We expect the numbers to be similar for this winter.
	 Notes:
	1. Figures rounded to the nearest 10.
	2. Parliamentary constituencies and local authorities are assigned by matching postcodes against the relevant ONS postcode directory.
	 Source:
	Information directorate 100 per cent data.

Illegal Immigrants: Security Guards

James Clappison: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many of the illegal workers employed in the security industry and the subject of the Home Secretary's oral statement of 13 November 2007,  Official Report, columns 531-3, on security industry authority, were issued with  (a) temporary national insurance numbers or  (b) national insurance numbers after 31 July 2006.

James Plaskitt: The information on national insurance numbers is not currently available.
	The Security Industry Authority (SIA) is currently conducting an exercise to determine the right to work status of SIA licence holders. If, following completion of the legal appeals process, an SIA licence is revoked because the holder has failed to demonstrate the right to work in the UK, the SIA will provide DWP with the information they require. This will enable a check to be made upon whether the individuals concerned were issued with a valid national insurance number by DWP and under what circumstances.
	The Department for Work and Pensions does not issue temporary national insurance numbers.

ENVIRONMENT FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS

Agriculture: Subsidies

Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many individuals received 200,000 or more from the single farm payments scheme in each year for which figures are available; and how much was paid to those recipients in each such year.

Jonathan R Shaw: holding answer 7 February 2008
	The Single Payment Scheme (SPS) 2005 and 2006 payments to individuals who received 200,000 or more are reflected in the following table:
	
		
			   Individuals  Total amount () 
			 SPS 2005 320 108,845,461 
			 SPS 2006 305 101,913,033 
		
	
	SPS 2007 payments are still being made and RPA cannot provide equivalent figures at this stage.

Agriculture: Subsidies

Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many farmers in Ribble Valley constituency have not been paid their entitlement under the Single Payment Scheme; for what reasons; and if he will make a statement.

Jonathan R Shaw: Detailed analysis of the number of claimants that have not been paid their entitlements under the single payment scheme in Ribble Valley constituency is not available. Once the remaining scheme payments have been completed, a decision will be taken on the level of detail that will be published.

Aluminium: Recycling

Helen Southworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what his assessment is of the contribution made by UK recycling of aluminium to  (a) waste reduction and  (b) reduction of greenhouse gas emissions; and if he will make a statement.

Joan Ruddock: The recycling of all metals yields significant greenhouse gas benefits since large amounts of energy are needed to extract and process the raw material. Each tonne of aluminium recycled saves 11 tonnes of CO2. For 2008, we are expecting the recycling of aluminium packaging alone to save over 500,000 tonnes of CO2 equivalent.
	Metals already achieve a high rate of recycling and the greatest further potential lies with non-ferrous metals, and particularly aluminium. High recycling of aluminium already occurs in some industries and for some products, but there are areas where more can be achieved. Small increases in recycling tonnages would yield extensive greenhouse gas benefits. This is why the Government have identified aluminium as one of seven priority materials for action in the Waste Strategy 2007.

Animals: Nature Conservation

Martin Salter: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what species he is considering removing from Schedule 4 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981; and what mechanisms he plans to put in place to monitor the effects of removal from the Schedule on wild populations of such species.

Joan Ruddock: The list of species to be removed from schedule 4 to the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 has not been finalised and will be subject to further discussions with the Devolved Administrations. I hope the revised schedule will take effect from 1 October 2008.
	The Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC) and the Statutory Nature Conservation Agencies support a range of bird surveillance and monitoring schemes in the United Kingdom, usually in partnership with specialist non-Government organisations. Surveillance schemes may include annual or periodic assessment of population size and distribution and allow trends in both to be derived; they are tailored to provide comprehensive coverage of common and rare species in both breeding and non-breeding seasons.
	The National Wildlife Crime Unit will continue to monitor incidents of illegal persecution, including theft of birds from the wild.
	Some species that may be removed from schedule 4 are also subject to sales controls under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) and the Animal Health Agency and the JNCC would be able to monitor levels of trade for these species.
	For non-CITES species, Natural England will consider whether stringent sales controls are required. Natural England would consider whether individual licences would be appropriate for species based on threats to their conservation status.
	My Department will work with the Devolved Administrations, the JNCC and the Animal Health Agency to investigate the potential of DNA testing for a sample of birds currently registered to check they are of legitimate stock and provide baseline data on any future parenting claims made for the species.

Animals: Nature Conservation

Martin Salter: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what account is taken of the conservation status of species at  (a) UK,  (b) England,  (c) Scotland,  (d) Wales,  (e) Northern Ireland and  (f) regional level in deciding whether to retain species on Schedule 4 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.

Joan Ruddock: The Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC) considered the conservation status of species which formed a key part of the consultation on the Review of registration under section 7 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 in England, Scotland and Wales.
	No decision has yet been taken on which species should remain on Schedule 4. The revised criterion for deciding which species should be listed on Schedule 4 to the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 are:
	1. Those species which occur in the wild state in the UK and whose wild population is so small that the taking of a few individuals would have a detrimental impact on the conservation status of the wild population in the UK.
	2. Whether the listing on Schedule 4 of the species meeting the criterion above was a proportionate burden for the keepers of these particular species. This takes account of issues such as value of the species, their longevity and any demand for keeping.

Biofuels

Roger Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment he has made of the effects of biofuel production on  (a) rainforest deforestation,  (b) UK food prices and  (c) UK greenhouse gas emissions.

Phil Woolas: I refer the hon. Member to the answer my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Transport (Jim Fitzpatrick) gave in response to questions  (a) and  (b) from the hon. Member for Chipping Barnet (Mrs. Villiers) on 28 November 2007,  Official Report, column 447W.
	The Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation will require fuel suppliers to ensure that a specified percentage of their fuel sales are from a renewable source from April this year. The Department for Transport has estimated that biofuels used to meet the obligation will result in net lifecycle savings of around 2.6 to 3 million tonnes of carbon dioxide per annum in 2010, when the obligation reaches 5 per cent.

Birds: Conservation

Madeleine Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the  (a) criteria and  (b) evidential basis are for decisions on species to be removed from Schedule 4 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.

Joan Ruddock: The criteria for deciding which species should be listed on schedule 4 to the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 are:
	1. Those species which occur in the wild state in the UK and whose wild population is so small that the taking of a few individuals would have a detrimental impact on the conservation status of the wild population in the UK.
	2. Whether the listing on schedule 4 of the species meeting the aforementioned criterion was a proportionate burden for the keepers of these particular species. This takes account of issues such as value of the species, their longevity and any demand for keeping.
	My Department has received a wide range of views and evidence on the species to be listed on schedule 4. Conservation evidence was primarily provided by the Joint Nature Conservation Committee, while evidence of the impact on keepers has been provided by the Animal Health Agency, keepers' organisations and other trade bodies.

Birds: Conservation

Madeleine Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what discussions he has had with colleagues in the devolved administrations on Schedule 4 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981; what contingency plans he has made for circumstances in which no agreement is reached; and how much funding he has allocated for action in such circumstances.

Joan Ruddock: The species to be listed on schedule 4 to the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 for Scotland and Wales is a matter for the Scottish and Welsh administrations respectively. I have written to my colleagues in the devolved Administrations on a number of occasions to update them on developments in relation to schedule 4 in England.
	I am awaiting their responses to my most recent letters advising them that I have decided to retain the bird registration scheme in England.

British Waterways Board: Finance

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if he will conduct a further review of the funding and financing of British Waterways.

Jonathan R Shaw: Following the announcement of the Government's comprehensive spending review, DEFRA is now going through a business planning process, during which the budget for British Waterways (BW) will be determined for the next three years. As part of this process, we are working with BW to understand the implications of different levels of spending. While we do not anticipate a further review of BW funding at present, BW, with our support, is currently undertaking a review of its status as a public corporation to identify whether or not a different structure might be more beneficial, for example through enabling greater investment in the waterways.

Carbon Emissions: Finance

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs which organisations received funding from his Department to reduce carbon dioxide emissions in each of the last five years; how much each received; and what volume of emissions each saved in each year.

Phil Woolas: The information requested can be found in the departmental report 2007, which is available on the DEFRA website.

Climate Change

Martin Horwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how he plans, under clauses 48 and 49 of the Climate Change Bill, to involve the devolved administrations in the preparation of reports on the impact of climate change and programmes for adaptation to climate change.

Phil Woolas: We are currently in discussion with the devolved Administrations about how we will work together on these, and other clauses of the Bill. The Bill is still under discussion and subject to change.

Departmental Advertising

Jeremy Browne: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what percentage of his Department's expenditure was on advertising in each year since establishment.

Jonathan R Shaw: The core departmental expenditure on advertising for the past four available financial years is set out in the following table.
	
		
			  Financial year  Departmental expenditure (000)  Advertising spend (000)  Percentage 
			 2003-04 2,790,609 70 0.002 
			 2004-05 3,034,175 739 0.02 
			 2005-06 3,433,100 890 0.03 
			 2006-07 3,913,036 569 0.015 
		
	
	This includes communications on a wide range of matters, much of it necessary or beneficial to the public and the wide range of industries in which DEFRA has an interest, together with local government, voluntary organisations and other bodies.
	Individual records of spend for DEFRA's non-departmental public bodies, agencies and financially sponsored organisations are not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Departmental E-mail

Brian Jenkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if he will take steps to reduce the number of hard copies of e-mails printed by officials in his Department.

Jonathan R Shaw: DEFRA is continually looking at ways to improve its operational performance to meet its commitments as part of the Sustainable Operations on the Government Estate (SOGE) targets. The SOGE targets include a requirement for Departments to reduce their waste arisings by 5 per cent. by 2010 and by 25 per cent. by 2020relative to 2004-05 levels; and to increase their recycling figures to 40 per cent. of their waste arisings by 2010 and to 75 per cent. of their waste by 2020.
	DEFRA makes full use of technology to enable staff to avoid using paper unnecessarily. The weekly electronic office notices have provided guidance for staff in the following areas:
	reduce paper waste by using print preview, printing only when necessary and printing double sided if possible;
	e-mail whenever possible and include short messages in the e-mail rather than in a separate document; and
	warn recipients if e-mail attachments are very long, so that they can select and print only the parts that are relevant to them.
	The Department continues to move towards the use of accredited shared drives and electronic filing systems, greatly reducing the need for hard copy documents. As part of the moves towards a 'smart working' environment, the principles of operating a clear desk policy further encourage staff to reduce any unnecessary printing.

Departmental Freedom of Information

Denis Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many requests were made to his Department under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 in each year since 2005; and how many requests were refused.

Jonathan R Shaw: The Government have published two annual reports that contain statistical information about how many requests have been received by monitored bodies (including central Government Departments) and how many have been refused.
	These reports can be found at the following address:
	http://www.dca.gov.uk/foi/reference/statisticsAndReports.htm
	Data is currently being collected across monitored bodies in order to produce the 2007 annual report and Q4 monitoring report, however, Q1-Q3 monitoring reports of 2007 can be found at the following address:
	http://www.justice.gov.uk/publications/freedomofinformationquarterly.htm

Departmental Recycling

John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what his Department's policy is on recycling.

Jonathan R Shaw: DEFRA had a recycling rate of 47 per cent. in 2005-06, so have met the 2010 target. There has been continuing work on improving these rates since then with a focus on improving recycling facilities across the whole of the DEFRA network estate (including agencies). These measures have ensured that we will have increased our rate in the 2006-07 SDIG report due for publication by the SDC in March 2008.
	However, DEFRA is not complacent about this achievement and will now be exploring ways to continue to improve the rate. For example, over the next couple of months, we will be implementing a scheme in the core-DEFRA buildings in London to remove general waste bins from desks, requiring people to sort their waste into central recycling points around the buildings.

Environment Agency: Manpower

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many staff were employed by the Environment Agency in each of the last five years; and how many of these were occupied with flood protection, flood prevention and flood defence in each year.

Phil Woolas: The following table shows the total number of Environment Agency staff and the number of flood risk management within the Environment Agency in each of the last five years.
	
		
			   Total number of Environment Agency staff  Number of Environment Agency flood risk management staff 
			 2002-03 10,745 4,129 
			 2003-04 11,296 4,341 
			 2004-05 11,800 4,534 
			 2005-06 12,000 4,596 
			 2006-07 12,398 4,748

Environment Agency: Manpower

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many staff are employed by the Environment Agency; and how many are expected to be employed in each of the next three years.

Phil Woolas: At the end of January 2008, the Environment Agency employed 11,772 full-time equivalent (FTE) staff.
	The Environment Agency's corporate plan is due to be approved by the board in March 2008 and this will indicate staffing levels for the next three years.

Fisheries: Nature Conservation

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when he expects to agree a contract to provide aerial surveillance for fisheries protection over the next five years; and if he will make a statement.

Jonathan R Shaw: The present contract for aerial surveillance will cease in March 2009. The future requirements and arrangements for aerial surveillance are currently being considered by the Marine and Fisheries Agency.

Fishing Industry: Quotas

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what  (a) percentage and  (b) number of 10 metre and under vessels were actively fishing against quota in 2007; and if he will make a statement.

Jonathan R Shaw: The latest information available on activity by UK vessels during 2007 indicates that 3,353 vessels of 10 metre and under length reported landings of fish during 2007. Of these, 1,968 vessels reported landings of stocks subject to quota, which is 38 per cent. of the total number of these vessels on the UK fishing vessel register, as at 1 January 2008.

Fishing Industry: Quotas

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate he has made of the amount of fish discarded by 10 metre and under vessels because of being over-quota in the last 12 months; and if he will make a statement.

Jonathan R Shaw: Estimates of the level of fish discards are made by scientists involved in the assessment of the state of fish stocks. However, these are made at the level of the overall fish stock rather than for individual segments of the fleet. In addition, such estimates are not made for the full range of fish stocks caught by the 10 metre and under fleet. As such, the information requested is not available.

Fishing Industry: Waste Disposal

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  whether the European Commission's Scientific, Technical and Economic Committee on Fisheries has assessed any UK fishery in relation to its viability for a discard ban; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  what discussions he has had with representatives of the fishing industry about the implications of the proposals outlined in the Commission Communication COM (2007) 136; and if he will make a statement;
	(3)  what recent discussions he has had with  (a) the European Commission and  (b) other EU member states on the proposals in Commission Communication COM (2007) 136; and if he will make a statement;
	(4)  when he expects the European Commission to publish the timetable for introducing a discard ban; and if he will make a statement.

Jonathan R Shaw: DEFRA conducted a public consultation on the Commission's discards proposals in 2007, and shared our views, and the salient points from the consultation with the Commission at various community fora. DEFRA officials also met with representatives of the industry. The views of a number of UK organisations are reflected in the subsequent North Sea Regional Advisory Council's (RAC) response. This is available on the North sea RAC website at:
	http://www.nsrac.org/
	With regard to discussions I have had with the European Commission and EU member states on the Commission Communication Com (2007) 136, I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 12 December 2007,  Official Report, columns 706-07W. The Council's conclusions were agreed and circulated in May 2007 (9891/07 PECHE 163).
	DEFRA is not aware that the European Commission's Scientific, Technical and Economic Committee on Fisheries (STECF) has assessed any UK fishery in relation to its viability for a discard ban. The issue of discards is a known priority for the European Commission, and proposals that will make a contribution to addressing the problem are expected to be made in 2008. However, we are not aware that the Commission will make a single proposal for an EU-wide ban on discards.
	Instead, the Commission is likely to propose measures tailored to regional and biological circumstances, sometimes as part of broader initiatives. The UK Government expect draft provisions regarding discards to be included in a range of forthcoming proposals, including cod recovery and technical conservation.
	While awaiting the Commission's proposals, DEFRA continues to engage with the industry in progressing work on a number of initiatives aimed at reducing discards. These include: the Irish Sea Data Enhancement Project; Gear Selectivity Trials conducted by the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas) scientists; and, as part of the 2008 Total Allowable Catches (TACs) and quota regime, the introduction of real time closures and other technical measures to help reduce discards of cod and whiting.

Fishing Industry: Waste Disposal

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what level of fish discards of each species there was as a result of the North Sea Nephrops Discard Pilot Project; and if he will make a statement.

Jonathan R Shaw: The aim of the North Sea Nephrops Pilot Discard Reduction Project was to develop modifications to the fishing gears used which might allow fishermen to continue to catch their target fish while simultaneously reducing discard levels. Fishermen played an active role in constructing and testing a variety of modified trawls. Discards in this fishery are primarily juvenile cod, haddock and whiting, which are caught alongside the Nephrops.
	A series of five peer-reviewed scientific papers detailing this work have since been published, and can be found on the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (CEFAS) website at:
	http://www.cefas.co.uk/publications.aspx

Fishing Industry: Waste Disposal

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  what level of fish discards of each species there was as a result of the Irish Sea Discard Pilot Project; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  how much by catch of each species was discarded for being  (a) over quota,  (b) juvenile and  (c) of low market value in the latest period for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement.

Jonathan R Shaw: Although quantities of fish discarded are recorded by scientific observers on randomly selected fishing vessels operating from UK ports, fishermen are not required to declare the reasons for discarding and hence, the figures and information requested are not available.
	The initial phase of the Irish Sea Data Enhancement Pilot has recently been completed and the European Commission's Scientific, Economic and Technical Committee for Fisheries (STECF) has approved the methodology used in the pilot. To ensure that the data collected from the pilot are consistent with existing national programmes, data are being cross-checked against discard observer data collected from vessels in the same fishery. This validation process is essential to ensure that the estimates of discards that result from the project are both realistic and representative. An interim report from the project, which will include a detailed analysis of discarding in the Irish sea, is scheduled for submission to STECF in June.

Flood Control

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  what additional flood defences have started to be constructed since the floods in summer 2007;
	(2)  how much has been spent on new flood defences since the floods in the summer of 2007.

Phil Woolas: Following the summer 2007 floods the Environment Agency continued to carry out feasibility studies to consider the viability of proposed new flood defence schemes, which look to reduce flood risk where it is cost-effective, practical and environmentally appropriate. The schemes shown in the table are Environment Agency approved Fluvial and Tidal Projects, with estimated expenditure over 1 million in 2007-08.
	
		
			  EA region  Project  Estimate of expenditure in 2007-08 ( million) 
			 Anglian Cut Off Channel Bridges 1.6 
			 Anglian Broadland PPP Contract 10.2 
			 Midlands West Bridgford 2.8 
			 Midlands Keadby Pumping Station 1.0 
			 Midlands Hereford (Belmont) 4.0 
			 Midlands River Derwent (Derby) 1.0 
			 Midlands Gainsborough 4.0 
			 North East Cockshaw Burn (Hexham) 2.4 
			 North East Selby Tidal Defences 3.4 
			 North West Lower Lancaster Phase 2 1.5 
			 North West River Eden/Petteril Flood Defences, Carlisle 3.8 
			 North West Carlisle City and Caldew 1.2 
			 North West Altmouth Pumping Station 2.0 
			 Southern Lymington River Flood Alleviation Scheme 3.5 
			 South West St. Ives 5.3 
			 South West BoscastleValency Phase 3 4.8 
			 Thames Thames Barrier, programmed replacements 1.7 
			 Thames Dartford Creek Frontage 1.5 
			 Thames Isle of Dogs Embayment 2.0 
			 Thames Queenhithe Wharf Frontage 1.2 
			 Total  58.9

Flood Control

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many flood defences were built in 2005-06; and if he will break down the budget for flood defence funding in 2005-06 by main budget heading.

Phil Woolas: The Environment Agency's capital programme delivered 65 completed flood risk management projects to reduce flood risk in 2005-06.
	This was in addition to continued investment across a wide range of flood risk management activities such as flood warning, emergency response and planning, development control and maintaining flood defence assets.
	The following figures reflect Environment Agency spend on flood risk management in 2005-06, funded by DEFRA. They exclude spend funded from other sources (eg levies on local authorities, beneficiary contributions, and charges).
	
		
			  2005-06 
			million 
			 Capital 202 
			 Maintenance 163 
			 Other FRM spend 153

Flood Control: Finance

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much funding in addition to that delivered through the local government settlement his Department will make available to Gloucestershire County Council to reduce the risk of flooding in Gloucestershire in 2008-09.

Phil Woolas: holding answer 30 January 2008
	Total central and local government spend on management of flood and coastal erosion risk will be approximately 600 million this year, rising incrementally to 800 million in 2010-11. This largely consists of grant in aid to the Environment Agency to manage flood risk. The Environment Agency also funds capital improvement projects, undertaken by local authorities (usually district and unitary authorities) and internal drainage boards. County councils rarely undertake capital improvement projects to reduce flood risk but Gloucestershire is free to apply to the Environment Agency subject to eligibility criteria.
	The Environment Agency is the principal operating authority with responsibility for flood risk management and provisionally estimates spend of 3 million in Gloucestershire in 2008-09, including 750,000 each on river maintenance and improving flood forecasting and warning, projects looking at possible future improvements for Tewkesbury, Gloucester, Prestbury, Stroud and Lydney and development of long-term, sustainable options for managing flood risk from the fluvial Severn.

Flood Control: Finance

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much funding his Department provided to  (a) Gloucestershire county council,  (b) Tewkesbury borough council,  (c) Cheltenham borough council,  (d) the Environment Agency and  (e) other agencies for flood (i) recovery and (ii) prevention in the last 12 months; what restrictions there are upon the ways in which such funds can be spent; what plans he has for further similar expenditure over the next 12 months; and if he will make a statement.

Phil Woolas: DEFRA has not provided funding specifically for flood recovery but substantial funding has been provided by other Government Departments, co-ordinated by the Department for Communities and Local Government.
	DEFRA has overall policy responsibility for flood risk management and grant aids, the Environment Agency's flood risk activities and capital improvement projects (undertaken by local authorities) and, in areas of special drainage need, internal drainage boards. This funding must be spent in accordance with Government policy to achieve a set of agreed outcome measures for the programme.
	We have not provided capital grants to Gloucestershire county council, Tewkesbury borough council or Cheltenham borough council during 2007-08. We plan rather to give the Environment Agency approximately 439 million in 2007-08.
	The statement by my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, on 4 February,  Official Report, column 49WS, sets out spending plans for management of flood and coastal erosion risk over the next three years. The Environment Agency will manage this money, including capital grant to local authorities and internal drainage boards, to deliver the targets we have set for them over the comprehensive spending review period.

Fly Tipping: West Midlands

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps the Government have taken to reduce fly tipping in the West Midlands since 1997.

Joan Ruddock: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Houghton and Washington, East (Mr. Kemp) on 7 January 2008,  Official Report , column 66W.

Forestry Commission

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if he will make it his policy that the Forestry Commission's success strategy should  (a) encourage opportunities for recreation and leisure and  (b) increase forestation on Commission land.

Joan Ruddock: The Forestry Commission is responsible for the delivery of the Strategy for England's Trees Woods and Forests that was published last year. With Natural England it is preparing a Delivery Plan for the Strategy which is expected to be published in the autumn.
	The Forestry Commission is the largest single provider of outdoor recreation opportunities in England. The freehold estate had been dedicated for public access on foot in perpetuity through the provisions in the Countryside and Rights of Way Act. The Commission is making substantial investments in improving its recreational facilities for all sections of society. Examples include Haldon Forest Park in Devon, Bedgbury in Kent, Grizedale and Whinlatter in the Lake District and Kielder in Northumberland. The commission has also been contributing to urban regeneration through the provision of green spaces, including Newlands in the North West of England, Jeskyns in North Kent and Ingrebourne Hill in Essex.
	The Public Forest Estate managed by the Forestry Commission extends to over 250,000 hectares which is independently certified as sustainably managed. It is expected to deliver relevant priorities in the Strategy for England's Trees Woods and Forests and to contribute to other government policies.

Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate he has made of the UK's net emissions of  (a) hydrofluorocarbons,  (b) perfluorocarbons and  (c) sulfurhexafluoride in each of the last 10 years; for what reasons such emissions were not included in the UK climate change sustainable development indicator: 2006 greenhouse gas emissions final figures; and if he will make a statement.

Phil Woolas: Estimates of the UK's emissions of hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons and sulfurhexafluoride from 1990 to 2006 can be found on the e-digest statistics section of DEFRA's website.
	These estimates were published as National Statistics on 31 January 2008, and form part of the UK Climate Change Sustainable Development indicator. Full details can be found in the statistical release on the DEFRA website. The figures in question can be found in annex A.
	DEFRA does not publish sectoral breakdowns of emissions for these three gases.

Home Energy Efficiency Scheme

Greg Pope: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the total Government grant to the Warm Front scheme was over the last three years.

Phil Woolas: Total Government spend on Warm Front over the last three years is detailed as follows.
	
		
			  1 April to 31 March each year  Measures  s pend (WF) ( million) 
			 2005-06 192 
			 2006-07 320 
			 2007-08 352 
			 Total 864

Home Energy Efficiency Scheme: Hyndburn

Greg Pope: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many Warm Front grants were approved in Hyndburn constituency in each of the last three years.

Phil Woolas: The number of Warm Front grants approved in the Hyndburn constituency in each of the last three years is detailed as follows.
	
		
			  1 January to 31 December each year  Assisted households 
			 2005 705 
			 2006 1,125 
			 2007 1,164 
			 Total 2,994

Home Energy Efficiency Scheme: Hyndburn

Greg Pope: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the average cost was of each Warm Front grant approved in Hyndburn constituency in the last three years.

Phil Woolas: The average cost of each Warm Front grant approved in Hyndburn constituency in the last three years is detailed in the table.
	
		
			  1 January to 31 December each year  Average grant () 
			 2005-05 1,237.76 
			 2006-06 1,357.95 
			 2007-07 1,741.98 
			 Total 1,478.95

Housing: Energy

Karen Buck: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps his Department takes to monitor residential energy efficiency.

Phil Woolas: DEFRA has a robust system in place for monitoring residential energy efficiency. Through rigorous evaluation of our household energy efficiency programmes, including the Energy Efficiency Commitment and Building Regulations, we have a good understanding of the number of low carbon measures, such as cavity and loft insulation, high-efficiency boilers and appliances, installed in United Kingdom housing since 2002, and the remaining capacity.
	Underpinning these delivery programmes, is a rolling programme of field research providing detailed understanding of the in-situ energy and carbon performance of buildings and measures. Building on this, we have set in place formal indicators for assessing United Kingdom household energy efficiency over time, through which we will report statutory energy efficiency targets for 2010. Going forward, other instruments, including Energy Performance Certificates and the Green Homes Service will provide further house specific energy efficiency information.

Inland Waterways: Cotswold Hills

Charlotte Atkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  what assessment he has made of the effects of the cessation of funding of the Cotswold Canals restoration by British Waterways on the existing funding for the project; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  what discussions he has had with British Waterways on their decision to cease funding for the Cotswold Canals restoration;
	(3)  what discussions British Waterways had with  (a) the Secretary of State and  (b) other funding partners before announcing the cessation of funding to the Cotswold Canals restoration.

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  when the decision of British Waterways to withdraw from the Cotswold Canals Partnership was first communicated to him;
	(2)  what impact assessments he has undertaken of the decision by British Waterways to withdraw from the Cotswolds Council Partnership.

Jonathan R Shaw: On Monday 28 January, DEFRA officials advised me that British Waterways (BW) had informed them that the board had decided to withdraw from the Cotswold Canal Partnership. BW asked that we allow them time to inform their staff and the most affected stakeholders in advance of the Press Notice which was issued on Monday 4 February.
	We have always made it clear that, whilst we welcomed the project, this was a matter for the BW board. I was aware that BW had many new pressures on their budget, particularly in relation to the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal breach, and that they were concerned at their overall level of exposure. It is for the BW board to decide how best to manage risk, taking into account both the interests of all stakeholders and BW's public policy objectives.

Inland Waterways: Dredging

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many mains water courses for which  (a) the Environment Agency and  (b) internal drainage boards are responsible have been dredged since July 2007; and what length of water courses has been dredged.

Phil Woolas: The information requested is not held centrally and could be supplied only at disproportionate cost.

International Whaling Commission

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what reports he has received of countries being lobbied for recruitment to the International Whaling Commission by the pro-whaling group of nations; and if he will make a statement.

Jonathan R Shaw: Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) posts are aware of the need to watch for indications that countries may join the International Whaling Commission and adopt a pro-whaling stance. Posts in the relevant capitals are briefed and engage in discussion with their counterparts on whaling at every appropriate opportunity. Such countries are left in no doubt as to the importance that the UK attaches to whale conservation.

Livestock: Waste Disposal

Roger Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the estimated cost to the livestock industry of complying with regulations preventing the on-farm burial of fallen livestock has been in each of the last four years.

Jonathan R Shaw: It is not possible to estimate the amount spent by the livestock industry. Although information is available about the amount spent on the National Fallen Stock Scheme, not all farmers are members of the scheme and many will have made their own arrangements to dispose of carcases in compliance with the rules. In addition, many farmers would have disposed of carcases as required by the EU animal by-products regulation even had it not been agreed, given the strict controls on carcase disposal under previous domestic legislation.

Local Government: Rural Areas

Andrew Murrison: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what discussions he has had with other Ministers on raising awareness of the infrastructure provided by rural communities councils; and if he will make a statement.

Jonathan R Shaw: The Government recently recognised the importance of the rural community councils (RCCs) by announcing new funding worth over 10 million to the network over the next three years. We are keen to ensure that rural interests are taken fully into account in policy making and delivery across all Departments and at all levels of government. Where appropriate, DEFRA will continue to raise the potential contribution of the RCCs, as it has done together with the Department for Communities and Local Government in relation to local area agreements and the delivery of public service agreement 21, on building more cohesive, empowered and active communities.

Meat Products: Imports

James Paice: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate he has made of the proportion of imported meat that was processed in the UK and subsequently labelled as British in the last 12 months.

Jonathan R Shaw: It would not be practical to collect such statistics. Under the Food Safety Act 1990, the Food Labelling Regulations (1996), and the Trades Descriptions Act 1968 any labelling that provides information on the origin of meat must not mislead consumers. Where meat has been processed, provided it is a substantial change, it is permissible to describe as its origin the country where that change took place. If the absence of information might mislead consumers, then guidance produced by the Food Standards Agency confirms that both the origin of the meat and the country where the processing takes place should be declared in order to facilitate informed consumer choice. More restrictive rules apply to beef and poultry meat that has not been processed.
	At the end of January, the European Commission published its proposals, for a food information regulation which brings together a number of general food labelling directives and includes provisions governing the labelling of the origin of a product and its ingredients. Within this draft regulation there is a proposal for amending the rules on country of origin labelling. This proposal will be the subject of widespread consultation by the Food Standards Agency, which leads on food labelling issues.

Nature Conservation: Lyme Bay

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps he is taking to protect the marine biodiversity of Lyme Bay.

Jonathan R Shaw: We have recently consulted on proposals to protect the biodiversity of Lyme bay. The consultation sought the views of all interested parties on three proposed options to deliver protection for marine biodiversity in the bay. It also invited respondents to suggest further options to provide protection for the bay's marine biodiversity and raised a number of specific questions concerning related conservation and economic matters.
	Consultation closed on 21 December 2007 and we are now urgently considering people's responses. Once this process has concluded, and a summary of consultation responses has been published, an announcement will be made concerning any further measures to protect marine biodiversity at Lyme bay.

Nitrates: Water

Roger Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment he has made of the effects of the EU  (a) Nitrates and  (b) Water Framework Directives on water management.

Phil Woolas: The Nitrates Directive aims to improve water quality by reducing pollution caused by nitrates from agricultural sources. It focuses upon improving agricultural land management practices, in particular the use of manure and fertiliser, through implementation of an action programme. The recent consultation on implementation of the Nitrates Directive in England, included an assessment of the effectiveness of the current and proposed action programme at reducing nitrate losses.
	The Water Framework Directive (WFD) requires us to achieve good status in all water bodies by 2015, subject to a range of exceptions related to technical feasibility and disproportionate cost. The WFD accommodates essential uses of the water environment such as for flood defence, power generation and abstraction.
	Achievement of the environmental objectives of the WFD is likely to require action by a range of operations that put pressure on the environmental quality of water including water and sewerage services and land management. The requirements of individual operators will depend on the Environment Agency's assessment, using WFD criteria, of the current condition of water bodies and the measures identified as necessary to achieve the relevant environmental objectives.
	Draft river basin management plans, outlining the current status of the water environment in each river basin district and proposals for measures to achieve the environmental objectives, will be published for a six month consultation in December 2008.
	DEFRA has carried out impact assessments of the costs and benefits of the WFD. Each river basin management plan will, in turn, be subject to an impact assessment, which will take account of specific measures in the way that the higher level assessments carried out to date have been unable to do.

Noise: Health Hazards

Daniel Rogerson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to the answer of 22 January 2008,  Official Report, column 1940W, on noise: health hazards, whether the Noise Strategy for England will have regard to the results of the Salford University study into Research into Aerodynamic Modulation of Wind Turbine Noise commissioned by his Department.

Jonathan R Shaw: The Noise Strategy for England will be a high level document that sets out the Government's policy on neighbourhood and environmental noise. It would be premature to state whether the strategy will single out the aerodynamic modulation of noise from wind turbines. The Government have stated that they will keep the issue of aerodynamic modulation of noise from wind turbines under review.

Packaging: Waste Disposal

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate he has made of the cost to local authorities of recovering non-reusable bags  (a) in household refuse and  (b) from streets.

Joan Ruddock: No such estimates have been made.

Recycling

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps his Department takes to ensure that recycled materials which are exported for reprocessing are not diverted to  (a) landfill and  (b) other disposal facilities.

Joan Ruddock: It is the responsibility of producers of waste, including local authorities and their waste management contractors, to ensure that waste is dealt with in an environmentally sound manner throughout the recycling chain, including at its final destination.
	Waste that is being exported should be recovered or recycled under environmentally sound conditions, and exporters should reassure themselves that this is taking place.
	In England and Wales, the Environment Agency helps to detect and prevent the illegal export of waste through intelligence-led, targeted inspections at ports and other facilities. Enforcement action is taken as appropriate where evidence of illegal activity is found. The Environment Agency cooperates with regulators overseas to help ensure that controls are met.

Renewable Energy: Wood

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what funding he has allocated to his Department's wood fuel strategy in each of the next three years.

Phil Woolas: The Forestry Commission is currently carrying out its business planning for the next three years. Decisions on funding for their England Woodfuel Strategy will be made within that process.

Retail Trade: Packaging

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if he will bring forward legislative proposals to reduce the use of non-reusable bags in the retail trade.

Joan Ruddock: The Government pledged in the 'Waste Strategy for England 2007' to phase out free single-use carrier bags. We are actively working to establish the best ways of achieving this objective.

Seas and Oceans: Legislation

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs for what reasons a draft Marine Bill was not presented to Parliament in  (a) the 2005-06 Session and  (b) the 2006-07 Session; and if he will make a statement.

Jonathan R Shaw: The Government are firmly focused on meeting its commitment to introduce a comprehensive Marine Bill in this Parliament. Proposals have been developed for a Bill that covers a broad and complex set of marine issues spanning many different interests and which, in some cases, break completely new ground.
	Extensive consultation has been essential with a broad range of stakeholders to ensure that this legislation is right. To this end, we undertook a broad public consultation exercise in 2006. We further developed our proposals in a White Paper which was published for consultation in 2007.
	The Government's draft legislative programme states that we are considering publishing a draft Marine Bill in this session of Parliament. We are working to do this in early 2008. Publishing the Marine Bill in draft will allow us to get the legislation right and lead to a better Bill.

Sites of Special Scientific Interest: Standards

Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what progress his Department has made towards its public service agreement target to bring 95 per cent. of sites of special scientific interest into favourable condition by 2010; and if he will make a statement.

Joan Ruddock: holding answer 24 January 2008
	At 30 January 2008, 80.1 per cent. of sites of special interest (SSSI) by area was in favourable or recovering condition (target condition). We anticipate that the figure by the end of March 2008 will be around 81.5 per cent.. This falls slightly short of the milestone of 83 per cent. but compares with a baseline of 56.9 per cent. in 2003 and represents good progress towards delivering the target of 95 per cent. by December 2010.

Trade Unions

Andrew Tyrie: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether  (a) his Department and  (b) the Carbon Trust has provided funding to trades unions in the last 36 months.

Phil Woolas: DEFRA has provided 16,000 to support Trade Union activities on sustainable development in the last 36 months.
	The Carbon Trust has supported the Trades Union Congress (TUC) with funding through the Networks Initiative in 2006 and 2007. The Initiative provides financial support to projects that help members reduce their carbon emissions. The specific projects supported were Green Workplaces in 2006 and the Carbon Partnership Project in 2007. Each received 140,000 from the Carbon Trust.
	As well as engaging the TUC's affiliated members through these projects, the Carbon Trust has supported a number of individual trade unions with free carbon surveys, customer advice and information. The Carbon Trust are also reviewing the findings of the Green Workplaces project to allow a wider roll out in the future.

Waste Disposal

Eric Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if he will place in the Library a copy of the factual briefing note on pilot waste reduction schemes referred to by the Minister of State for Sustainable Farming, Food and Animal Welfare on 30 January 2008,  Official Report,  House of Lords, column 664.

Joan Ruddock: I am arranging for the information requested to be placed in the House Library.

Waste Disposal

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much  (a) paper and cardboard,  (b) metal,  (c) glass,  (d) plastic and  (e) other material was (i) collected for recycling and (ii) exported for reprocessing in each of the last three years for which information is available; and if he will make a statement.

Joan Ruddock: The tonnages of materials collected from household sources sent for recycling and composting by local authorities in England in the last three years for which figures are available, are shown in the following table(1). This information is available on the DEFRA website. Tonnages of recyclable materials from non-household sources are not available.
	
		
			  Thousand tonnes 
			  Household waste  2004-05  2005-06  2006-07 
			 Paper and card 1,406 1,475 1,535 
			 Glass 670 760 840 
			 Compost 1,960 2,439 2,895 
			 Scrap metals and white goods 577 532 601 
			 Textiles 71 86 103 
			 Cans 52 74 80 
			 Plastics 21 38 49 
			 Co-mingled 656 860 1,121 
			 Other 372 532 751 
			 
			 Total 5,785 6,796 7,976 
		
	
	Where non-hazardous wastes (such as separated recyclables) are exported, they are generally subject only to commercial controls and not to the prior notification and consent procedures which apply to exports of hazardous wastes. Precise data on the amounts and destinations of exported recyclables are not, therefore, available.
	However, based on HM Revenue and Customs figures, it is estimated that in 2006 (the last year for which figures are available), the UK exported some eight million tonnes of metal scrap, four million tonnes of paper, 441,000 tonnes of plastic and 136,000 tonnes of glass cullet. These figures will include recyclable materials collected from all sources including households, commerce and industry.
	(1) Household waste sent for recycling includes all materials sent for recycling, composting or reuse by local authorities as well as those collected from household sources by 'private/voluntary' organisations. Material which was collected for recycling but actually rejected at collection, by the material recycling facility or at the gate of a recycling reprocessor is excluded. Material diverted from the residual waste stream and accepted for recycling is included.

Waste Disposal: Compost

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps the Government have taken to encourage homeowners to compost their kitchen and garden waste since 1997.

Joan Ruddock: holding answer 7 February 2008
	Increasing the rate of composting of kitchen and garden waste is an important way to reduce the amount of biodegradable waste being sent to landfill and should help cut greenhouse gas emissions.
	The Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) is working with local authorities and other partners to improve the uptake of home composting and has distributed over one million home composting bins to households across the country through local authorities. Practical advice on home composting is available on the Recycle Now website.
	WRAP is also working to encourage composting more generally and is providing support and advice to local authorities on collecting dry recyclable and organic wastes through its Recycling and Organics Technical Advisory Team (ROTATE).

Waste Disposal: Fees and Charges

Bob Neill: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs over what period he plans to allocate central funding for the pilot schemes for charges for the collection of household waste.

Joan Ruddock: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Brentwood and Ongar (Mr. Pickles) on 14 January 2008,  Official Report, column 869W.

Whales: Japan

Graham Allen: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps his Department is taking to establish the legal status under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) of Japan's killing of CITES Appendix I listed whales in the Southern Ocean and North Pacific; and if he will make a statement.

Joan Ruddock: Following the recent announcement that Japan intended to take 50 humpback whales in the Southern Ocean as part of its JARPA II whaling programme, the UK Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) Management Authority wrote to the CITES Secretariat asking for clarification on the legal position. In their response, the CITES Secretariat stated that they were not in a position to issue a statement to the effect that the introduction from the sea of humpback specimens violates article III of the convention. We have drawn the contents of their reply to the attention of the EU CITES Management Committee that will consider it at its next meeting in April.

Whales: Nature Conservation

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if he will host a meeting of anti-whaling nations before the next meeting of the International Whaling Commission; and if he will make a statement.

Jonathan R Shaw: The UK will host a meeting of like-minded anti-whaling countries prior to the inter-sessional meeting of the International Whaling Commission (IWC) due to be held on 6-8 March 2008 in Heathrow, London.

Whales: Nature Conservation

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when he last discussed whaling with his foreign counterparts; and if he will make a statement.

Jonathan R Shaw: I have raised the issue of whaling at every appropriate opportunity with members of the International Whaling Commission (IWC).
	The UK will continue to make clear our objections to those countries that support whaling, both before and during the forthcoming inter-sessional meeting of the IWC in March, and the next annual meeting in Chile in June.
	In addition, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has written to 18 countries, encouraging them to join the IWC for the greater protection of whales.

Wild Boar

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  why the publication of the Government's strategy on the management of wild boar has been delayed; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  when he will publish the Government's strategy on the management of wild boar.

Joan Ruddock: holding answer 5 February 2008
	It is unfortunate that the strategy has taken longer to produce than we had initially hoped. My Department has had other unexpected priorities to resolve such as outbreaks of avian influenza, bluetongue and foot and mouth disease. We also had to resolve some issues with regard to the delivery of the action plan. However, I am now able to announce that DEFRA's wild boar strategy will be published on 19 February.

HEALTH

Alcoholic Drinks: Misuse

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps the Government took to prepare the National Health Service for the effects of the level of binge drinking in the Christmas season.

Dawn Primarolo: The national health service routinely plan for changes in demand. It is a local service matter as to what arrangements they decide to put in place to deal with any potential fluctuations in activity of services.

Breast Cancer: Essex

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many diagnoses of breast cancer there were in Essex in each of the last five years.

Angela Eagle: I have been asked to reply.
	The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.
	 Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated 18 February 2008:
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking how many diagnoses of breast cancer there were in Essex in each of the last five years. (185314)
	The most recent available figures for newly diagnosed cases of breast cancer registered in Essex are for the year 2005. Figures for the years 2001 to 2005 are in the table below.
	
		
			  Registrations of newly diagnosed cases of breast cancer( 1) , females, Essex, 2001-05 
			   Number 
			 2001 909 
			 2002 915 
			 2003 966 
			 2004 881 
			 2005 1,137 
			 (1) Breast cancer is coded to C50 in the international Classification of Diseases Tenth Revision (ICD-10).  Source: Office for National Statistics

Burton Independent Sector Treatment Centre

Charlotte Atkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  which medical procedures the Burton Independent Sector Treatment Centre offers to patients;
	(2)  which medical procedures the Burton Independent Sector Treatment Centre offered to patients when it opened;
	(3)  when the cost effectiveness of the Burton Independent Sector Treatment Centre was last assessed; and what the outcome of that assessment was;
	(4)  for what reasons the management arrangements at the Burton Independent Sector Treatment Centre have been changed in the last 12 months; and who is responsible for implementing the new management arrangements.
	(5)  what powers the relevant primary care trusts have to renegotiate the contract with the Burton Independent Sector Treatment Centre;
	(6)  when the contract between the North Staffordshire Primary Care Trust and the Burton Independent Sector Treatment Centre ends.

Ben Bradshaw: The Burton Independent Sector Treatment Centre (ISTC) commenced service delivery in July 2006 offering national health service patients a range of procedures including general surgery, orthopaedics, ophthalmology, ear nose and throat, thoracic procedures, nervous system, digestive system, urology and gynaecology. The Department works with sponsors and providers to ensure optimum utilisation of the contracts. This includes changing the case mix where necessary to respond to local need and working with providers and primary care trusts (PCTs) to recover previous under-utilised activity where possible. Since December 2007 pain management outpatient appointments have been available at Burton ISTC in addition to the above services and a review of the case mix is ongoing.
	A formal assessment of cost effectiveness of the Burton ISTC took place as part of the procurement of wave 1 of the ISTC programme in 2004, the subsequent outcome of which was the appointment of Nations Healthcare as the independent sector provider. The procurement of wave 1 was conducted in compliance with European Union procurement law.
	In June 2007, in terms of management changes at the ISTC, Circle Health acquired Nations Health. The internal management arrangements for the Burton ISTC are the responsibility of Nations Health, in line with contractual obligations.
	The North Staffordshire PCT contract for services at the Burton ISTC is due to cease in the financial year 2011-12. There is an option for the contract to be extended or re-negotiated at the end of the contract term, in line with the local needs of NHS patients.

Cancer

Mark Simmonds: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the projected costs of the  (a) national cancer survivorship initiative,  (b) national survey awareness of cancer,  (c) national cancer equality initiative and  (d) national cancer intelligence network in each of the next three years.

Ann Keen: holding answer 7 February 2008
	The projected costs for the next three years for the national cancer survivorship initiative, national survey awareness of cancer and national cancer intelligence network are set out as follows. Projected costs for the national cancer equality initiative have not been separated from the overall projected costs for awareness and early detection, and it is these costs that are given instead.
	
		
			   million 
			   2008-09  2009-10  2010-11 
			 National cancer survivorship initiative 18.2 36.4 54.5 
			 National survey awareness of cancer 0.7 0.7 0.7 
			 Awareness and early detection 3.0 7.0 11.0 
			 National cancer intelligence network 1.4 2.8 4.2

Cancer: Cheshire

Helen Southworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps his Department has taken to improve outcomes in cancer  (a) screening and  (b) treatment in (i) Warrington and (ii) Cheshire in the last five years; and if he will make a statement.

Ann Keen: holding answer 7 February 2008
	Major progress has been made on cancer over the past 10 years and especially since the publication of the National Health Service Cancer Plan, which set out the first ever comprehensive strategy to tackle cancer and was the first time any Government had drawn up a major programme of action linking prevention, diagnosis, treatment, care and research. Significant achievements include:
	extending breast screening to women aged 50-70 years. The number of new cancers diagnosed through breast screening has increased by over 60 per cent.;
	roll-out of the bowel cancer screening programme, the first programme to target both men and women;
	major reductions in waiting times for patients with suspected cancer referred urgently by their general practitioners (99 per cent. seen within 14 days, up from 63 per cent. in 1997);
	over 99 per cent. of patients receiving their first cancer treatment within one month of diagnosis (the 31-day target);
	over 97 per cent. of urgently referred patients being treated within two months of referral (the 62-day target);
	expansion of the cancer work force; and
	provision of unprecedented numbers of new equipment.

Cancer: Health Services

Mark Simmonds: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the  (a) mean and  (b) median waiting time was from diagnosis of cancer to treatment for each type of cancer in (i) 2004-05, (ii) 2005-06 and (iii) 2006-07.

Ann Keen: Statistics on average waiting times for cancer patients and average waiting times for specific cancer conditions are not collected centrally. The cancer waiting time standard of a maximum wait of 31 days from diagnosis to first cancer treatment was introduced for breast cancer patients from December 2001 and all patients from December 2005. Statistics are published on a quarterly basis on the Department's website at:
	www.performance.doh.gov.uk/cancerwaits.
	Performance against the standard for all cancers for the last quarter (January, February and March) for each of the years was:
	2004-05: 91.1 per cent. of cancer patients treated within 31 days of diagnosis;
	2005-06: 98.9 per cent; and
	2006-07: 99.6 per cent.

Cancer: Medical Treatments

David Tredinnick: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the availability of treatment for  (a) bone metastases caused by prostate cancer in men and  (b) bone metastases caused by breast cancer in women; what biophosphonate drugs are available in the Leicester cancer care area for the treatment of bone metastases caused by (i) prostate cancer and (ii) breast cancer; and if he will make a statement.

Ann Keen: holding answer 7 February 2008
	From the information collected on bone metastases, it is not possible to identify which have been caused by either prostate or breast cancer, therefore no assessment has been carried out on bone metastases caused by either prostate or breast cancer.
	University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust does not routinely use bisphosphonate drugs to treat prostate cancer as there is inconclusive evidence as to the drugs efficacy and cost-effectiveness. However, pamidronate and ibndronate are routinely used for breast cancer as there is National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) guidance and evidence of effectiveness.
	In 2002, NICE published guidance on Improving Outcomes in Urological Cancer. The guidance makes recommendations on the management of bone metastases in patients with metastatic prostate cancer.
	In the same year, NICE also published Improving Outcomes in Breast Cancer. The guidance makes recommendations on the management of bone metastases in patients with metastatic breast cancer.
	NICE is also preparing clinical guidelines on the diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer and of breast cancer. Both sets of guidance will address bone metastases. The guideline on prostate cancer is due to be published later this month. Publication of the guideline on breast cancer is expected in early 2009.

Cancer: Waiting Lists

Anne Milton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer of 12 November 2007,  Official Report, column 58W, on cancer: waiting lists, whether his Department's press release of 9 October 2007 was approved by a Minister before it was issued.

Ben Bradshaw: Yes. The Department's press release of 9 October 2007 on the comprehensive spending review was approved by a Minister before it was issued.

Christmas

Anne Milton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much his Department's agencies spent on  (a) Christmas cards and  (b) postage of Christmas cards in each year since 1997.

Ben Bradshaw: Information about what Department's agencies spend on Christmas cards and the amount they spend on the postage of Christmas cards, is not held centrally.

Consent to Medical Treatment: Mentally Ill

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance his Department has issued on the circumstances under which  (a) the Commission on Social Care Inspection and  (b) healthcare workers may conduct intimate medical examinations on those with mental incapacities without the consent of guardians ad litem; under what authority such examinations are performed; and if he will make a statement.

Ivan Lewis: The Mental Capacity Act 2005 , which came fully into force on 1 October 2007, sets out a statutory framework for making treatment decisions for people who lack the capacity to make such decisions themselves. The Act establishes overarching statutory principles governing these decisions, setting out who can make them and when. It sets out the legal requirements for assessing whether or not a person lacks capacity to make a decision.
	Where a person lacks the capacity to make a decision for themselves, any decision must be made in that person's best interests. The Act introduced a duty on the national health service to instruct an independent mental capacity advocate in serious medical treatment decisions when a person who lacks capacity to make a decision has no one who can speak for them, other than paid staff. The Mental Capacity Act allows people to plan ahead for a time when they may not have capacity to make their own decisions by appointing an attorney to make treatment decisions on their behalf or by making an advance decision to refuse medical treatment. Further guidance is available in the Mental Capacity Act Code of Practice.
	The Commission on Social Care Inspection (CSCI) does not perform medical examinations. CSCI inspects care providers and does not examine or inspect actual users of services.

Dentistry: Databases

Paul Beresford: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether his Department uses the General Dental Council dental list to send its communications to dentists.

Ann Keen: Generally, we make arrangements with the NHS Business Services Authority which has contact details of all dentists with contracts to provide national health service primary care dental services. If however a communication was of interest to all dentists, for example advice on the control of cross-infection in dental practice, we would use the General Dental Council's register.

Departmental Data Protection

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether personal data for which his Department is responsible is  (a) stored and  (b) processed overseas; and if he will make a statement.

Ben Bradshaw: A limited amount of personal data for which the Department of Health is responsible is stored overseas, and some is processed overseas. This includes national health service payroll and financial systems where the NHS Business Services Authority, an arms length body of the Department, operates a service on behalf of NHS trusts, storing data in the UK but processing pay and finance forms in India under strict data protection controls. The Business Services Authority also uses overseas resources as part of a system for inputting details of NHS dental treatments.
	The Department is also responsible for NHS patient data managed by NHS Connecting for Health, but none of this data is stored or processed overseas. The Department is not responsible for patient or other personal data managed by NHS trusts and health authorities.
	Departmental guidance requires measures to be taken to ensure such processing is compliant with our obligations under the Data Protection Act 1998. Reviews are currently in hand, related to the wider government review of data handling arrangements, to confirm that those measures are adequate.

Departmental Freedom of Information

Denis Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many requests were made to his Department under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 in each year since 2005; and how many requests were refused.

Ben Bradshaw: The Government have published two annual reports that contain statistical information about how many requests have been received by monitored bodies (including central Government Departments) and how many have been refused.
	These reports can be found at:
	www.dca.gov.uk/foi/reference/statisticsAndReports.htm
	Data is currently being collected across monitored bodies in order to produce the 2007 annual report and Q4 Monitoring report, however, Q1-Q3 Monitoring reports of 2007 can be found at:
	www.justice.gov.uk/publications/freedomof informationquarterly.htm

Departmental Marketing

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what products featuring departmental or Government branding were procured by  (a) his Department and  (b) its agencies in each of the last five years.

Ben Bradshaw: The Department advises against the use of departmental branding on products, other than on occasional low value promotional items to support specific internal initiatives or conferences. Any such items are procured by individual teams within the Department and the Department does not hold central records on which items were procured and at what cost. To provide this information would therefore incur disproportionate cost.
	The two agencies that receive funding from the Department are the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and the NHS Purchasing and Supply Agency (NHS PASA).
	The MHRA has produced low cost branded items in the last five years, these were: mugs, pens, coasters, carrier bags, back massagers, tins with jelly beans, mouse mats and stress balls. All these items have been produced specifically for special events such as conferences, including the United Kingdom Presidency events in 2005, and events to promote the General Practice Research Database and the reporting of adverse incidents and faulty devices. This is part of MHRA's role in protecting public health.
	We are informed by NHS PASA that they have not produced or issued any products featuring departmental or government branding in the last five years.

Departmental Pay

Stephen Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many civil servants in his Department and its agencies received bonuses in each year since 2002.

Ben Bradshaw: The figures provided in the following table include bonuses paid to senior civil servants under pay arrangements common across the civil service and special bonuses paid under schemes operated by the Department and its agencies.
	Senior civil service bonuses reward excellent performance during the year, based on a judgment of how well people perform relative to their peers. This covers the extent to which objectives are met and how they are achieved, and has regard to how leadership behaviours and professional skills are demonstrated and how stretching objectives are.
	Special bonuses are awarded for a number of different reasons, the most common of which are an outstanding contribution in a particularly demanding situation, job loading becoming temporarily very heavy, a high level of commitment and resolution to get a job done, special efforts to produce results, cover for a high level of absence, and a contribution over and above what would normally be expected for the job and of the person or team concerned. Special bonuses can be paid either to individuals or to a group or team of staff at any point in the year, and only for additional duties undertaken which will not be recognised through annual pay awards.
	The figures presented for 2007-08 are up to December 2007.
	The Department changed its payroll provider in 2003-04. Information on performance bonus payments prior to 2004-05 is only available from individual payslips. To retrieve this information would therefore involve disproportionate cost.
	
		
			  Numbers of staff receiving bonuses 
			  Year in which bonuses were paid  Department DH  Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency  NHS Purchasing and Supply Agency 
			 2007-08 434 215 15 
			 2006-07 420 377 78 
			 2005-06 581 226 55 
			 2004-05 679 (1) 6 
			 2003-04 (1) (1) 2 
			 (1) Not available.

Departmental Sustainable Development

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether his Department is working towards an accredited certified environmental management system for  (a) its whole estate and  (b) some of its buildings.

Ben Bradshaw: The Department does not have a certified system for its core administrative estate.
	The Department's NHS Purchasing and Supplies Agency has an environmental management system certified to ISO14001.

Departmental Vehicles

Jeremy Browne: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many vehicles were  (a) owned and  (b) purchased by his Department in each of the last 10 years.

Ben Bradshaw: The Number of vehicles owned and purchased by the Department during each of the last 10 years are shown in the following table.
	
		
			  Year ending 31 March  Number of vehicles owned  Number of vehicles purchased 
			 1999 17 0 
			 2000 17 0 
			 2001 12 0 
			 2002 2 0 
			 2003 37 37 
			 2004 63 26 
			 2005 9 0 
			 2006 6 0 
			 2007 3 0 
			 February 2008 2 0 
		
	
	These vehicles were owned by the Department through outright purchase. During 2005, ownership and management responsibility for 47 vehicles transferred to NHS Purchasing and Supplies Agency, and seven transferred to the Commission for Social Care Inspection.

Employment Agencies

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much his Department paid to recruitment agencies in relation to departmental appointments in each year since 1997.

Ben Bradshaw: Because of the way in which financial data is coded in the Department's accounting system, it is not possible to extract the specific information required from the overall costs of appointments. This could be established only from a manual examination of invoices, which would incur disproportionate costs.

Family Practitioner Services: Enfield

Joan Ryan: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many GP surgeries are open out of hours in  (a) Enfield North constituency and  (b) Enfield Borough.

Ben Bradshaw: The information requested is not held centrally. The hon. Member may therefore wish to approach the chief executive of Enfield PCT for information on number of surgeries which are open out of hours.
	Primary care trusts (PCTs) now have a legal responsibility to ensure that they provide, or secure provision of out of hours services for their local population. NHS London has advised officials that Enfield PCT is in the process of trying to agree extended opening hours with all its practices.

Food: Labelling

Gordon Banks: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the cost to industry of implementing the Food Standards Agency's guidelines on the provision of allergen information on non-prepacked foods.

Dawn Primarolo: Given the voluntary nature of the guidance, the exact cost to businesses is difficult to quantify. Businesses may adopt the changes over time and in a way that is appropriate to the size and type of the particular business. They may chose different ways of providing the information to the customer from written means such as point of sale notices, product labelling or menu descriptions to verbal information, which will have differing costs.
	The regulatory impact assessment was compiled during the development of the Food Standards Agency guidance package and is published on the Agency's website at
	www.food.gov.uk/foodindustry/guidancenotes/labelregsguidance/nonprepacked.

Food: Labelling

Gordon Banks: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what arrangements his Department has made to monitor the effectiveness of recent Food Standards Agency voluntary best practice guidance on the provision of allergen information for non-prepacked foods; and over what timescale such arrangements will operate.

Dawn Primarolo: The Food Standards Agency is monitoring the take up of the guidance package by food business operators. It will follow this up in a year's time to evaluate awareness of food allergy issues in the non-prepacked foods sector, a key objective of the guidance among food businesses.

General Practitioners

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health which general practice surgeries  (a) he and  (b) the Minister of State, the hon. Member for Exeter, have visited in an official capacity since June 2007; and on what dates.

Ben Bradshaw: Since June 2007 the Secretary of State has visited Churchill Medical Centre, Kingston in London. Since June 2007, I have visited: St Bridge Practice, Gloucestershire (twice); Fishponds Health Centre, Bristol; Wood Lane Surgery, Hornchurch, Essex; Chadwell Heath Health Centre, Romford, Essex; Bromley by Bow Centre, London; Great Oaks GP Practice, Weymouth and Calne Health Centre in Wiltshire.

General Practitioners: Working Hours

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer of 18 January 2008,  Official Report, column 1360W, on family practitioner services: working hours, what proportion of patients were able to make appointments at their general practitioner practice outside 8am to 6pm Monday to Friday in each quarter for which figures are available since 2000.

Ben Bradshaw: Since June 2006, we have estimated the proportion of patients able to make such appointments based on samples of around 1,500 members of the public. These figures are given in the following table:
	
		
			  Percentage 
			   2006  2007 
			   June  August  October  December  March  Ma y  August 
			 Monday to Friday from 8 am to 6 pm 85 88 86 90 89 88 90 
			 Monday to Friday evenings (after 6 pm) 7 7 7 6 6 5 5 
			 Monday to Friday early mornings (before 8 am) 4 3 3 4 3 3 3 
			 Weekend 1 1 2 1 1 2 1 
			 Other 3 2 2 1 1 1 * 
			 Do not know 4 3 5 3 3 4 2

Health For All, Have Your Say

Ben Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the cost of development and publication of the document Health for all, Have Your Say was.

Ann Keen: holding answer 7 February 2008
	This information is not held centrally and can instead be obtained directly from Wirral primary care trust.

Health Services

Paul Rowen: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the compliance levels of health care providers with section H of the Code of Practice for Promotion of NHS Services; and if he will make a statement.

Ben Bradshaw: The 'Code of Practice for the Promotion of NHS services' was a document published for consultation in November 2006. The consultation finished on the 28 February 2007, and we are currently considering the responses to the consultation and will publish a final code shortly. The provisions of this draft promotion code are therefore not currently enforceable, therefore no assessment has been done of the compliance with section H of this code.

Health Services: Age

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the effect of the likely changes to the age profile of the population in the next 10 years on the service requirements of the NHS; and if he will make a statement.

Ben Bradshaw: The Department has used population predictions supplied by the Office for National Statistics to inform its policy development. This will support the delivery of high quality health care in areas such as prevention, and better management of long-term conditions to a growing and ageing population.

Health Services: Prisoners

David Burrowes: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much was spent on  (a) general medical services,  (b) mental health treatment,  (c) drug and alcohol treatment and  (d) other health-related expenditure for prisoners in each year from 2002-03 to 2006-07; and how much funding is allocated in each category for 2007-08.

Ivan Lewis: Expenditure on prison healthcare in England 2002-03 to 2007-08, including general medical services, mental health services, and other health-related expenditure, is shown in table 1.
	
		
			  Table 1: Expenditure on prison healthcare in England 2002-03 to 2007-08( 1) 
			
			 2002-03 117,615,000 
			 2003-04 139,705,000 
			 2004-05 158,002,000 
			 2005-06 177,511,000 
			 2006-07 190,939,000 
			 2007-08 (2)196,094,000 
			 (1) The figures quoted include amount spend on mental health in-reach services in both publicly and privately managed prisons. (2) The figure for 2006-07 also includes an amount to cover the cost of implementing Agenda for Change, backdated to October 2004, for prison healthcare staff who have transferred to the NHS.  Source: Department of Health. 
		
	
	Prison funding used specifically for alcohol treatment is not separated out from overall drug treatment funding. Drug treatment funding allocated to prisons globally over the past six years is shown in table 2. This includes investment from both the Department and the Ministry of Justice, and is in addition to the investment in table 1.
	
		
			  Table 2: Drug treatment funding allocated to prisons 2002-03 to 2007-08 
			   million 
			  Intervention  2002-03  2003-04  2004-05  2005-06  2006-07  2007-08 
			 Clinical services (detoxification and/or maintenance-prescribing) 7.30 11.30 11.30 11.30 23.30 24.00 
			 Counselling, Assessment, Referral, Advice and Through-care services 14.30 17.40 22.30 25.70 30.70 31.70 
			 Drug rehabilitation programmes 7.10 9.00 13.80 19.40 19.40 19.40 
			 Young People's Substance-Misuse Service   3.70 4.30 4.70 4.70 
			 Total 28.70 37.70 51.10 61.10 78.10 79.80 
			  Source: Ministry of Justice/Department of Health

Health Services: Private Sector

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many contracts NHS bodies have with private sector providers of health care.

Ben Bradshaw: The national health service is free to enter into local agreements with independent sector providers and the Department does not collect this information centrally. In terms of contracts centrally procured by the Department's Commercial Directorate, the following contracts between the independent sector and the NHS exist.
	 Wave 1
	
		
			  Scheme  Provider  Lead primary care trust (PCT)/local NHS region 
			 Eccleshill NHS Treatment Centre Nations/Circle Bradford and Airedale Teaching PCT 
			 Midlands NHS Treatment Centre Nations/Circle South Staffordshire PCT 
			 Barlborough NHS Treatment Centre PHG Barnsley PCT 
			 Shepton Mallet NHS Treatment Centre UKSH Somerset PCT 
			 Greater Manchester Surgical Centre Netcare Oldham PCT 
			 Peninsula NHS Treatment Centre PHG Plymouth PCT 
			 Bodmin NHS Treatment Centre Ramsay Cornwall and Isles of Scilly PCT 
			 Boston NHS Treatment Centre Ramsay Lincolnshire Teaching PCT 
			 Clifton Park NHS Treatment Centre Ramsay North Yorkshire and York PCT 
			 Cobalt NHS Treatment Centre Ramsay Newcastle PCT 
			 New Hall NHS Treatment Centre Ramsay Southampton City PCT 
			 Blakelands NHS Treatment Centre Ramsay Milton Keynes PCT 
			 Reading NHS Treatment Centre Ramsay Milton Keynes PCT 
			 Horton NHS Treatment Centre Ramsay Oxfordshire PCT 
			 Gainsborough NHS Treatment Centre Ramsay Lincolnshire Teaching PCT 
			 Kidderminster NHS Treatment Centre Interhealth Worcestershire PCT 
			 Cheshire and Merseyside NHS Treatment Centre Interhealth Western Cheshire PCT 
			 Mid Kent NHS Treatment Centre PHG West Kent PCT 
			 North East London NHS Treatment Centre PHG Barking and Dagenham PCT 
			 Mid and South Buckinghamshire NHS Treatment Centre Mercury/Care UK Buckinghamshire PCT 
			 Will Adams NHS Treatment Centre Mercury/Care UK Medway Teaching PCT 
			 St. Mary's NHS Treatment Centre Mercury/Care UK Portsmouth City Teaching PCT 
			 Sussex Orthopaedic NHS Treatment Centre Mercury/Care UK Brighton and Hove City PCT 
			 Havant NHS Diagnostic Service Mercury/Care UK Hampshire PCT 
		
	
	 Phase 2
	
		
			  Scheme  Provider  Lead PCT/Local NHS region 
			 London NHS Diagnostic Service InHealth Netcare Strategic health authority (SHA) regions involvedLondon 
			 West Midlands Diagnostic Service (contract terminating 14 February 2008) Care UK SHA regions involvedWest Midlands 
			 Cheshire and Merseyside Electives Spire Healthcare SHA regions involvedNorth West 
			 Northumberland, Tyne and Wear Multi Specialty Treatment Centre Spire Healthcare SHA regions involvedNorth East 
			 Cumbria and Lancashire Electives Ramsay SHA regions involvedNorth West, North East, Yorkshire and Humber 
		
	
	The Secretary of State is signatory to contracts centrally procured by the Department's Commercial Directorate.
	Through Wave 1 of the centrally-led procurements, operational contracts also include:
	
		
			  Scheme/programme  Provider  Area covered/PCTs 
			 Chlamydia (contract ending 31 March 2008) Boots Chemists London London SHA 
			 Mobile MRI Fast Track Alliance Medical Nationwide 
			 Ophthalmic chain Netcare Nationwide 
		
	
	 Commuter walk-in centres
	
		
			  Scheme/programme  Provider  Area covered/PCTs 
			 London Canary Wharf Atos Healthcare London SHA 
			 London Liverpool Street Walk in Health London SHA 
			 London Victoria Care UK London SHA 
			 Manchester Piccadilly Atos Healthcare North West SHA 
			 Newcastle Care UK North East SHA 
			 Leeds Netcare Yorkshire and Humber

Health Services: Publicity

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer of 18 January 2008,  Official Report, column 1360W, on health services: publicity, what the total cost of the campaign is in each relevant financial year; and how many staff of each pay band are running it.

Ben Bradshaw: The total cost of the campaign in the financial year 2006-07 was 217,861.13. Between December 2006 and March 2007, there was one grade seven (G7) communications manager working on this project full-time.
	The total anticipated spend to the end of this financial year (end March 2008) is 950,000. Between April 2007 and March 2008, there has been one G7 communications manager and one senior information officer and one information officer working part-time on the different aspects of the campaign.
	The campaign budget for April to December 2008 will be determined as part of the development of the Department's 2008-09 business plan , which is now under way. The resource necessary for the year 2008-09 will be determined as part of this plan.

Health Services: Standards

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the evidential basis was for the decision to propose a change to the number of quality and outcomes framework points allocated for access.

Ben Bradshaw: The quality and outcomes framework provides financial incentives to reward practices that demonstrate high standards of care, not just in clinical care but also in terms of the patient experience. Parties to the framework have agreed to recycle a number of out-dated indicators that are either redundant or of very limited added value, and to revise the patient experience domain. Our proposals are to use the freed resource to incentivise improvements in patients' access experiences so as to better meet patients expectations as demonstrated through last year's national general practitioner patient survey.

Health Services: Standards

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer of 18 January 2008,  Official Report, column 1360W, on health services: standards, what information his Department collects on the reasons for decisions taken by clinicians that it is not clinically appropriate for a patient's treatment to start within 18 weeks.

Ben Bradshaw: The Department does not collect information on the reasons for decisions taken by clinicians that it is not clinically appropriate for a patient's treatment to start within 18 weeks. Decisions on whether it is clinically appropriate to start treatment within 18 weeks of referral rests with individual clinicians in consultation with patients.

Hospitals: Admissions

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many finished admission episodes of care for emergency admissions there were in each year since 1997-98, broken down by age of patient.

Ben Bradshaw: The information is set out in the following table.
	
		
			   Finished admission episodes (FAE) 
			  Age at start of episode  1997-98  1998-99  1999-2000  2000-01  2001-02  2002-03  2003-04  2004-05  2005-06  2006-07 
			 0-4(1) 366,147 377,638 365,820 355,364 369,829 359,423 376,158 383,894 404,159 416,441 
			 5-14 231,482 222,265 225,544 229,589 232,615 227,757 230,073 236,477 248,205 236,443 
			 15-44 1,007,962 1,015,030 1,025,278 1,035,337 1,029,106 1,041,928 1,121,150 1,207,931 1,294,948 1,304,535 
			 45-64 650,658 679,490 701,717 714,928 720,158 735,846 791,200 846,081 893,425 919,762 
			 65-74 510,566 525,139 530,178 523,820 520,683 524,597 555,973 575,577 589,278 586,468 
			 75-84 580,449 613,495 621,070 619,872 628,879 655,941 710,517 746,906 754,426 748,911 
			 85-120 315,304 343,222 355,589 361,060 369,630 384,777 407,593 426,853 466,827 482,632 
			 Age unknown 41,564 8,675 8,471 16,866 14,880 7,757 6,605 5,402 3,786 4,825 
			 (1) This age category includes babies under the age of one.  Notes: 1. FAE A finished admission episode is the first period of in-patient care under one consultant within one healthcare provider. Please note that admissions do not represent the number of in-patients, as a person may have more than one admission within the year. 2. Admission methods: Emergency Via accident and emergency (A and E) services, including casualty department of provider Via General Practitioner (GP) Via Bed Bureau, including Central Bureau Via Consultant Out-patient Clinic Other meansincluding patients who arrive via A and E department of another healthcare provider. 3. Assessing growth through time HES figures are available from 1989-90 onwards. During the years that these records have been collected by the national health service there have been ongoing improvements in quality and coverage. These improvements in information submitted by the NHS have been particularly marked in the earlier years and need to be borne in mind when analysing time series. Changes in NHS practice also need to be borne in mind when analysing time series. For example a number of procedures may now be undertaken in outpatient settings and may no longer be accounted in the HES data. This may account for any reductions in activity over time.  4. Ungrossed data Figures have not been adjusted for shortfalls in data (i.e. the data are ungrossed). 5. Data quality HES are compiled from data sent by over 300 NHS trusts, and primary care trusts in England. Data are also received from a number of independent sector organisations for activity commissioned by the English NHS. The Information Centre for health and social care liaises closely with these organisations to encourage submission of complete and valid data and seeks to minimise inaccuracies and the effect of missing and invalid data via HES processes. While this brings about improvement over time, some shortcomings remain.  Source: Hospital Episode Statistics (HES), The Information Centre for health and social care.

Hospitals: Infectious Diseases

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps the Government has taken to prevent children from picking up viruses when visiting hospitals.

Ann Keen: Infections are generally controlled by good infection control practice but national health service trusts may introduce additional measures such as restricting visiting if appropriate. Most visitors, including children, only spend time with one patient and providing they follow hospital advice e.g. on hand washing there is little risk of them acquiring the organism or infecting others.

Hospitals: Waiting lists

Norman Lamb: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what written representations his Department has received from NHS trusts on the 18 week waiting time target in the last six months; and if he will place copies of all such representations in the Library.

Ben Bradshaw: The Department receives a wide range of written representations on issues relating to 18 weeks from national health service trusts. Information on the number of representations received over the last six months and obtaining copies could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

Incontinence

Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many  (a) children and  (b) young people in the UK were identified as having incontinence problems in the latest period for which figures are available.

Ann Keen: holding answer 7 February 2008
	The information requested is not collected centrally. Continence services for children and young people are the responsibility of local primary care trusts, with a view to compliance with standard six of the National Service Framework for Children, Young People and Maternity Services. This standard includes a specific section on paediatric incontinence.

Information Centre for Health and Social Care: Data Protection

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Health on what dates in the last 12 months the Information Centre for Health and Social Care has physically transported data which contain personally-identifiable information; and what guidance the Information Centre for Health and Social Care has issued to its staff on how personally-identifiable information should be transported.

Ben Bradshaw: The Information Centre for health and social care frequently transports data containing personally-identifiable information, where approval has been given by the Patient Information Advisory Group.
	The Information Centre for health and social care has an information security policy, which ensures that all staff are made aware of their roles and responsibilities of the correct transportation of personally-identifiable information.
	I also refer the hon. Member to the statement made on 21 November 2007,  Official Report, column 1179, by my right hon. Friend, the Prime Minister and the written statement made on 17 December 2007,  Official Report, column 98WS, by my right hon. Friend the Minister for the Cabinet Office. The review by the Cabinet Secretary and security experts is looking at procedures within Departments and agencies for the storage and use of data. A further report is expected in spring 2008.

Information Services Division

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the remit is of the Information Services Division in his Department.

Ben Bradshaw: The Information Services Division has a remit to provide the following services within the Department:
	security: definition and enforcement of all information technology (IT) security policies, including those relating to protection of data, business continuity, project assurance, the appropriate use of IT facilities, computer viruses, security vetting and the reporting of losses and thefts of equipment;
	IT strategy: determination and implementation of the Department's IT strategy;
	business and systems analysis: the capture and analysis of requirements and the provision of advice and guidance on where technology can assist with business change and business improvement;
	IT application development: the planning, project management, implementation;
	testing and delivery of new IT systems where the users are Departmental employees, not NHS staff;
	user support: provision of advice, support and equipment to business users on IT services and desktop products;
	IT application support: the performance of daily operational activities to ensure that the Department's systems are available for use and the resolution of technical incidents and problems experienced;
	supplier management: the management of external suppliers of IT goods and services to ensure best value for money and the delivery of contractually agreed service levels;
	knowledge management and IT skills development: delivering training, advice and consultancy service on all aspects of knowledge management;
	freedom of information unit: provision of advice and guidance on all aspects of the regulations relating to freedom of information and data protection;
	library services: delivery of up-to-date information on health and social care through the provision of an inquiry service, the purchase of publications, the development and advice on the departmental thesaurus and taxonomy;
	web services: production, publishing, hosting and maintenance of the Department's websites;
	records management: implementation of information management policies relating to paper and electronic records created by the Department, and managing the departmental records office file store contract for the Department and selected agencies;
	directory services: management and publication of central databases containing information about staff, business groups and building addresses for the Department and related external organisations;
	delivery and operation of NHS Choices website; and
	professional oversight and guidance to the IT organisations within departmental arms length bodies.

Intimidation

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many cases of bullying have been reported in  (a) his Department and  (b) its agencies in each of the last 12 months.

Ben Bradshaw: The number of complaints are given in the following table for the calendar year 2007. Where there has been at least one complaint but less than five the exact figure is not provided on grounds of confidentiality. Any such situation is marked 5 in the table. Nil returns are marked zero.
	
		
			  Department/agency  Complaintbullying 
			 Departmental 6 
			 NHS Purchasing and Supply Agency 0 
			 Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency 5

Malnutrition: Standards

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make it his policy to include malnutrition in the quality and outcomes framework for general practitioners.

Ben Bradshaw: As part of the ongoing development of the Quality and Outcomes Framework (QOF), indicators and clinical areas are continuously reviewed in the light of the clinical evidence base. The expert panel advises the QOF negotiations on the evidence for new areas for clinical intervention in terms of the benefits to patients. The scope for new areas depends on the strength of the evidence base, priorities for health, and the resource available to deliver them.
	However, the identification of patients suffering from malnutrition who attend their general practitioner would be considered part of normal essential services delivered in general practice.

MRSA

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health on what date the decision was taken to release under embargo statistics on  (a) MRSA and  (b) Clostridium difficile published by the Health Protection Agency on 30 January 2008; for what reason the decision was taken to release statistics under embargo; on what dates (i) he, (ii) his special advisers and (iii) other officials of his Department held discussions with the Health Protection Agency on the release of statistics under an embargo, and what the content of the discussions was; to which (A) organisations and (B) individuals the statistics were issued under embargo; and if he will make a statement.

Ann Keen: On 16 January 2008 Departmental and Health Protection Agency officials agreed to release the information at 10:00 am on 29 January. It was distributed under embargo until 00:01 hours on 30 January to national and regional journalists with an interest in health to give them more time to look at the statistics in detail before reporting on them. It was also copied to the Health Care Commission.
	This was in addition to the routine distribution of the pre-publication data to the national health service.

NHS Business Services Authority: Data Protection

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Health on what dates in the last 12 months the NHS Business Services Authority has physically transported data which contain personally-identifiable information; and what guidance the NHS Business Services Authority has issued to its staff on how personally-identifiable information should be transported.

Ben Bradshaw: The NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) transports a considerable volume of personally- identifiable data on virtually every working day.
	The NHSBSA has a data protection policy and an information security policy, which ensure that all staff are made aware of their roles and responsibilities for the correct transportation of personally-identifiable information. Staff also receive computer based training in data protection and information security which covers how information should be sent outside of the organisation. Reminders are also issued through a variety of internal communications mechanisms. The NHSBSA constantly reviews the security arrangements for data it is transporting.
	I also refer the hon. Member to the statement made on 21 November 2007,  Official Report, column 1179, by my right hon. Friend, the Prime Minister and the written statement made on 17 December 2007,  Official Report, column 98WS, by my right hon. Friend the Minister for the Cabinet Office. The review by the Cabinet Secretary and security experts is looking at procedures within Departments and agencies for the storage and use of data. A further report is expected in spring 2008.

NHS Employers: Freedom of Information

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether NHS Employers is defined as a public authority for the purposes of the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

Ben Bradshaw: No. NHS Employers is a company limited by guarantee, and works as part of the NHS Confederation. As such, it is not considered a public authority for the purposes of the Freedom of Information Act. NHS Employers provides services under contract to the Department, and also acts independently to represent the interests of individual national health service employers.

NHS Foundation Trusts: Public Appointments

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will take steps to place senior appointments in NHS foundation trusts within the terms of reference of the Commissioner of Public Appointments; and if he will make a statement.

Ben Bradshaw: In line with their independent status, schedule 7 of the National Health Service Act 2006 sets out how appointments to NHS foundation trusts (NHSFTs) are to be made. Monitor (the statutory name of which is the independent regulator of NHS foundation trusts) has issued guidance on the procedure and principles for appointments in NHSFTs which is consistent with their public service values. The NHS Foundation Trust Code of Governance is available at Monitor's website:
	www.monitor-nhsft.gov.uk/documents/Monitor_ Code_Gov_find.pdf

NHS Treatment Centres: Christchurch

Christopher Chope: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the former NHS Health Centre in Saxon Square, Christchurch was vacated; and when he expects it will be brought back into use.

Ben Bradshaw: The former health centre at Saxon Square was vacated in 1989. Since then a number of unsuccessful attempts have been made to dispose of the Secretary of State's long leasehold interest in the property.
	Discussions are currently taking place with Royal Bournemouth and Christchurch NHS Foundation Trust for them to take responsibility for the leasehold interest and to bring the property back into national health service use. If these are concluded, it is expected the property will be brought back into use in 12 to 18 months.

NHS: Catering

Roger Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of  (a) beef,  (b) lamb,  (c) pork and  (d) dairy products used in NHS premises were imported products in the most recent period for which figures are available.

Ben Bradshaw: The following percentages represent the number of products imported for each category:
	
		
			   Percentage 
			 Beef 10 
			 Lamb 85 
			 Pork 15 
			 Dairy 20

NHS: Finance

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer of 11 December 2007,  Official Report, column 525W, on NHS finance, what his Department's latest estimate is of the outturn for NHS resource spending in 2007-08.

Ben Bradshaw: The Department will release its latest forecast of outturn national health service resource spending for 2007-08 in the Department of Health Department Report 2008, due to be published in May 2008.

NHS: Finance

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Wyre Forest (Dr. Taylor) of 12 December 2007,  Official Report, column 657W, on NHS: finance, which new indicators are under consideration for inclusion in the Better Care Better Value indicators.

Ben Bradshaw: While further testing will be necessary it is likely that future publications by the National Health Service Institute will include indicators covering did not attend rates, ratios of new to follow-up appointments in outpatients and emergency readmission rates. The indicator set will be further expanded in subsequent quarters.

NHS: Finance

Ben Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for Health by what means his Department monitors primary care trusts' commissioning of services to ensure funding is according to patient need.

Ben Bradshaw: Primary care trusts (PCTs), working with their partners, are responsible for ensuring that their local communities have the opportunity to be fully engaged in the commissioning decisions that they take. By listening, understanding and responding to peoples' expressed needs and preferences commissioners can be sure that the services that are made available are right for their populations.
	This is why Operating Framework for the NHS in England 2008-09 requires PCTs to adopt a systematic and rigorous approach to seeking, collecting and acting on the views of individuals and partners in the local community, including carrying out joint strategic needs assessments.
	PCTs are expected to respond by setting local commissioning priorities accordingly. Strategic health authorities (SHAs) are responsible for ensuring that these priorities reflect local health needs, informed by local indicators for PCTs. Performance against these indicators will be published to allow members of the public, as well as the Department and the SHAs, to assess how well or poorly their PCT is performing in relation to the local priorities it has set.

NHS: ICT

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer of 10 December 2007,  Official Report, column 333W, on NHS: ICT, which stakeholders his Department  (a) has consulted and  (b) plans to consult in its informatics review; and whether he expects to publish interim findings emerging during the course of the review.

Ben Bradshaw: To date, the informatics review has involved over 400 stakeholders during the analysis phase. These consultations have involved a broad range of stakeholders from front-line national health service organisations, including clinicians, senior managers and senior information management and technology staff; policy makers and other senior staff from within the Department; the Department's arms-length bodies; the medical professional representative and health regulatory bodies; and commercial organisations and suppliers.
	During February 2008 another phase of consultative engagement will take place in each of the strategic health authorities in the form of locally-run events with input from of a large number of NHS staff to validate and further inform the review. In addition, a smaller number of members of the public and patients will be invited to offer their own perspective.
	There are no current plans to publish interim findings. The recommendations from the informatics review will be finalised within the context and timeframes set for the NHS Next Stage review being led by my noble Friend the Parliamentary Under- Secretary of State (Lord Darzi), and expected to publish its final report during summer 2008.

NHS: KPMG

David Evennett: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Old Bexley and Sidcup (Derek Conway) on 14 January 2008,  Official Report, column 1029W, on NHS: KPMG, when he expects to be in a position to publish the report by KPMG on the financial viability of the four acute hospital trusts in outer South East London.

Ben Bradshaw: The KPMG report into the financial position of the four financially challenged trusts in South East London was commissioned in order to inform Ministers and officials as to the possible solutions for the repayment of the historic debt in the trust.
	This report was produced in order to, and is still being used to, inform Ministers and officials as part of this financially challenged trust's review process and, as such, we feel the release of the report may prejudice their ability to rely on free and frank advice that is contained within.
	It should also be noted that any decisions regarding these four organisations will be heavily influenced by the outcome of NHS London's A Picture of Health public consultation which is due to run until 7 April 2008.
	In addition the report contains a detailed breakdown of the trust's financial position including valuations on the organisations assets and liabilities, which if made public may harm the organisation in future negotiations with commercial partners.
	Some of these issues remain relevant for the foreseeable future and therefore we are unable to put a timescale on when the report will be published.

NHS: PFI

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health with reference to the answer of 9 March 2007,  Official Report, column 2288W, on the NHS: private finance initiative, if he will state, for each of the schemes  (a) given the go-ahead and  (b) opened, the nature of the rebuild project, including any estimate of the number of beds within the rebuilt area.

Ben Bradshaw: The information requested is shown in the following table.
	Information on the number of beds in each new build scheme could be collected only by going through each business case which would incur disproportionate cost.
	
		
			  NHS Trust or PCT  Capital value ( million)  Financial Close/Tender award date  Operational date  Scheme description 
			  Hospital build schemes approved to proceed (and under construction) 
			 Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust 19 23 December 2004 15 February 2008 Elderly and Mental Health Units 
			 Ipswich Hospital NHS Trust 36 27 March 2006 15 February 2008 Garrett Anderson Treatment Centre 
			 South London and Maudsley 25 12 September 2005 29 February 2008 Bethlem Royal Hospital Development (Forensic services) 
			 The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals 299 27 April 2005 1 March 2008 Relocation of Northern Centre for Cancer to Freeman Hospital and reconfiguration of Renal and Elderly Services Redevelopment of Royal Victoria Infirmary 
			 Hull and East Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust 67 21 February 2006 1 April 2008 Reconfiguration of Cancer facilities 
			 Oxford Radcliffe Hospitals 129 13 December 2005 1 April 2008 Integrated Cancer Centre 
			 Derby Hospitals 312 12 September 2003 1 June 2008 Consolidation of Acute Services on Derby City General 
			 South West Essex Teaching PCT 30 29 June 2006 1 August 2008 Reprovision of Brentwood Community Hospital 
			 Hull and East Yorkshire Hospitals 51 1 August 2006 1 September 2008 Cardiac Centre 
			 St. Helens Hospitals 338 1 June 2006 1 November 2008 Acute Hospital development 
			 Central Manchester and Manchester Children's Hospitals 512 14 December 2004 1 January 2009 Major work to provide three hospitals for Women, Children, Adults and a specialist Eye hospital 
			 Taunton and Somerset 21 28 February 2007 31 January 2009 Cancer Centre 
			 Oxford Radcliffe Hospitals 29 1 May 2007 31 January 2009 Cardiac Centre 
			 University Hospital of North Staffordshire 55 1 December 2006 1 March 2009 Maternity and Oncology Unit 
			 United Bristol Healthcare/North Bristol 64 16 October 2006 1 March 2009 Cardiothoracic Centre 
			 Sherwood Forest Hospitals 326 29 October 2005 1 April 2009 Rebuild and refurbishment of the King's Mill site and Mansfield community hospital 
			 Lincolnshire Teaching PCT 29 3 May 2007 1 April 2009 Part of Midlands Mental Health batch 
			 West Hertfordshire Hospitals 40 14 October 2007 1 April 2009 Acute Accident Unit 
			 Portsmouth Hospitals 236 12 December 2005 1 June 2009 Relocation of Acute services currently spread across three sites onto a single site (which will include a Ministry of Defence unit) 
			 Derbyshire Mental Health Services 36 9 October 2007 10 June 2009 Part of Midlands Mental Health batch 
			 South Essex Partnership 32 5 October 2007 1 September 2009 Medium and Low security Mental Health unit on Runwell hospital site 
			 Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys 75 12 December 2007 Q1 2010 Replacement of St. Lukes hospital offering general and forensic mental health service 
			 Walsall Hospitals 169 3 November 2007 1 March 2010 Improving Children's services and provision of primary care centres 
			 University Hospital Birmingham / Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health 627 8 June 2006 1 March 2010 Single site hospital to replace Selly Oak and Queen Elizabeth Hospitals and provide a new Mental Health Unit (Joint scheme with Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health) 
			 Northamptonshire Healthcare 36 31 October 2007 1 March 2010 Reprovision of institutional Mental Health services. Includes in-patient and Adult continuing care at Pendreds hospital. 
			 North Middlesex University Hospital 144 27 July 2007 Q2 2010 Reconfiguration of Acute Hospital services 
			 Mid Yorkshire Hospitals 353 22 June 2007 1 May 2010 Rationalisation from two main sites to one at Pinderfields Hospital. Small Unit at Pontefract 
			 Mid Essex Hospital Services 148 6 December 2007 Q3 2010 Relocation of Maternity Unit and modernisation of Acute Services including DTC in Chelmsford 
			 Tameside and Glossop Acute Services 109 13 September 2007 Q4 2010 Integration of services onto one site 
			 Salford Royal Hospitals 190 5 September 2007 Q1 2011 New build and refurbishment at Hope Hospital Salford 
			 Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children 75 9 October 2006 1 August 2011 Reprovision of hospital buildings 
			 Peterborough and Stamford Hospitals 336 29 June 2007 1 March 2012 Reconfiguration of Acute Hospital services 
			 University Hospital of North Staffordshire/Stoke PCT 375 13 June 2007 1 November 2012 Major new build and reconfiguration at University Hospital site 
			 Barts and the London 1,000 27 April 2006 1 November 2013 Acute site rationalisation including path lab 
			  
			  Operational  h ospital build schemes 
			 Queen Mary's Sidcup/Oxleas 21 11 December 1998 30 March 2000 Joint procurement to reprovide mental health services 
			 North Cumbria Acute Hospitals 67 3 November 1997 10 April 2000 Centralisation to new Cumberland Infirmary site in Carlisle 
			 Pennine Acute Hospitals 24 14 August 1998 1 August 2000 Redevelopment at Rochdale 
			 Dartford and Gravesham 94 30 July 1997 11 September 2000 New acute hospital on the Darenth Valley site consolidating services from three hospitals into one modern, flexible accommodation 
			 Nottingham University Hospitals 17 24 May 1999 1 October 2000 ENT/Ophthalmology at Queen's Medical Centre 
			 Buckinghamshire Hospitals 45 14 December 1997 17 October 2000 DGH. Rationalisation of Acute services onto two sites at Wycombe and Amersham. 
			 Sussex Partnership 22 24 June 1999 31 January 2001 Reprovision of Graylingwell Hospital 
			 Sheffield Teaching Hospitals 24 19 September 1998 1 February 2001 Jessops Wing for women's services 
			 Queen Elizabeth Hospital 96 1 July 1998 28 February 2001 Part new build and part refurbishment of hospital in Greenwich 
			 County Durham and Darlington Acute Hospitals 61 31 March 1998 2 April 2001 New district hospital for North Durham at Dryburn 
			 Calderdale and Huddersfield 65 31 July 1998 8 April 2001 DGH. New Acute Facility (now called Calderdale Royal Hospital) on the former Halifax General Hospital site 
			 University Hospitals of South Manchester 67 8 June 1998 25 July 2001 Site rationalisation at Wythenshawe Hospital 
			 North Staffordshire Combined Healthcare 28 8 December 1999 1 September 2001 Reprovision of mental health facilities 
			 Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals 158 9 January 1998 21 September 2001 New District General Hospital 
			 Hereford Hospitals 64 31 March 1999 1 March 2002 New District General Hospital 
			 Barnet and Chase Farm Hospitals 54 1 February 1999 2 March 2002 Modernising Barnet General Hospital 
			 North East London Mental Health 11 4 July 2000 4 March 2002 Acute mental health services development at Goodmayes Hospital 
			 Worcestershire Acute Hospitals 87 18 March 1999 18 March 2002 New District General Hospital 
			 Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health 18 15 August 2000 18 March 2002 Reprovision of mental health facilities on Erdington and Winson Green sites 
			 Cornwall PartnershipBodmin 10 31 October 2000 1 June 2002 Bodmin Hospital development 
			 County Durham and Darlington Acute Hospitals 48 28 May 1999 8 June 2002 Redevelopment of Bishop Auckland General Hospital 
			 East London 15 5 September 2000 11 June 2002 Mental Health reprovision at Newham 
			 Royal Berkshire 84 1 July 1997 27 July 2002 Service consolidation on Royal Berkshire site 
			 Luton and Dunstable 15 21 November 2000 9 September 2002 St. Marys Wing Development in Luton 
			 King's College Hospital 76 6 December 1999 7 October 2002 New block 
			 Eastern and Coastal Kent Teaching PCT 14 1 December 2000 7 October 2002 Sheppey Hospital development 
			 Swindon and Marlborough 100 5 October 1999 3 December 2002 New District General Hospital 
			 Leeds Partnerships 47 1 March 2000 16 December 2002 Reprovision of mental health services throughout Leeds 
			 Northumbria Healthcare 18 16 November 2000 25 March 2003 Phase 2 development of Wansbeck General Hospital 
			 Bromley Hospitals 118 19 November 1998 29 March 2003 New Farnborough hospital 
			 Hull and East Yorkshire Hospitals 22 8 December 2000 29 March 2003 Maternity and acute developmentHull Royal Infirmary 
			 East and North Hertfordshire PCT 15 4 May 2001 28 April 2003 Community hospital redevelopment 
			 Berkshire Healthcare 30 2 May 2001 29 April 2003 Construction of new mental health facility at Fairmile 
			 West Middlesex University Hospital 60 30 January 2001 16 May 2003 New District General Hospital 
			 The Royal Wolverhampton Hospitals 13 20 March 2002 23 June 2003 Radiology unit 
			 Northumbria Healthcare 55 27 April 2001 12 July 2003 Redevelopment of Hexham General Hospital 
			 South Tees Acute Hospitals 122 16 August 1999 1 August 2003 Site redevelopment and centralisation of acute hospital services at James Cook University Hospital 
			 St. George's Healthcare 46 20 March 2000 11 September 2003 Major replacement of Neurological and cardiac units 
			 Camden and Islington 26 1 October 2001 1 October 2003 Adult Mental Health Unit. 
			 Surrey PCT 29 29 October 2001 1 November 2003 The provision of a local care centre at Farnham Hospital 
			 County Durham and Darlington Acute Hospitals 10 30 May 2002 18 November 2003 New community Hospital at Chester-le-Street 
			 Northern Lincolnshire and Goole Hospitals 12 1 May 2001 16 February 2004 New women's and children's unit at Diana, Princess of Wales Hospital 
			 West London Mental Health 14 1 December 2000 20 February 2004 Security upgrade of Broadmoor Hospital 
			 Berkshire West PCT 19 4 July 2002 1 March 2004 New Community facilities centralised onto one site from Newbury and Sandleford Hospitals 
			 Devon PCT 10 1 July 2002 25 May 2004 New Tiverton Community Hospital 
			 Lancashire Teaching Hospitals 40 9 September 2002 1 June 2004 Maternity and gynaecology unit at Royal Preston Hospital 
			 Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh 25 1 November 2000 19 June 2004 Royal Albert Edward infirmary 
			 Royal Wolverhampton Hospitals 57 1 October 2003 1 September 2004 Heart and Lung Centre 
			 Central and North West London 35 1 September 2002 1 September 2004 Mental health facilities at Woofield Road and St. Charles. 
			 Leeds Teaching HospitalsWharfedale 14 20 September 2002 4 November 2004 Replacement of Wharfedale General Hospital 
			 Gloucestershire Hospitals 32 1 May 2002 13 November 2004 Total site redevelopment 
			 Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys 16 4 July 2003 13 December 2004 New Mental Health Unit at West Park 
			 Barnet PCT 40 1 April 2001 15 March 2005 Edgware Community hospital development. 
			 Brighton and Sussex University 12 12 December 2003 31 March 2005 New theatre and refurbishment of existing theatres 
			 Dudley Group of Hospitals 137 1 May 2001 1 April 2005 Major replacement of Russells Hall Acute Hospital 
			 Brent PCT 22 5 December 2002 21 April 2005 New build mental health facility in Willesden 
			 Rotherham, Doncaster and South Humber Mental Health 15 11 August 2003 6 June 2005 Elderly Mental Health Services arid Mental Health rehabilitation services 
			 University College London Hospitals 422 12 July 2000 12 June 2005 Major rationalisation of sites and wholescale replacement of University College Hospital 
			 West London Mental Health 36 1 October 2002 11 October 2005 Dangerous and severe personalities Unit at Broadmoor 
			 Guys and St. Thomas 50 19 September 1998 31 October 2005 New Evelina Children's Hospital 
			 Imperial College Healthcare 25 1 October 2003 7 November 2005 Renal Centre 
			 Kirklees PCT 27 21 April 2004 14 November 2005 Provision of 6 new Primary Care Centres 
			 Sandwell and W Birmingham Hospitals 26 9 December 2002 28 November 2005 Ambulatory Care Centre at City Hospital 
			 East London 34 10 October 2002 1 December 2005 Mental Health unit in Tower Hamlets 
			 Plymouth Hospitals 31 1 April 2004 1 February 2006 South West Cardiothoracic Centre 
			 The Cardiothoracic Centre 49 1 November 2004 1 March 2006 New cardiac Centre in Liverpool 
			 Wandsworth PCT 75 6 May 2004 10 March 2006 Redevelopment of Queen Mary's Roehampton. Including specialist rehabilitation and amputee services 
			 North West London Hospitals 69 6 November 2003 19 March 2006 Modernisation of Central Middlesex Hospital 
			 Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre 45 1 October 2003 1 April 2006 Cardiac Centre 
			 Buckinghamshire Hospitals 47 21 May 2004 15 April 2006 Partial redevelopment of Stoke Mandeville Hospital 
			 Northumberland, Tyne and Wear 32 10 May 2004 15 May 2006 Reprovision of Mental Health services at St. George's Hospital Morpeth 
			 Salisbury Health Care 24 4 March 2004 19 May 2006 DGH Redevelopment 
			 East Lancashire Hospitals 30 13 October 2003 23 May 2006 Burnley Phase V Hospital development 
			 Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership 83 1 March 2004 13 June 2006 Redevelopment of Mental Health facilities, community care services and crisis homes 
			 East Lancashire Hospitals 110 9 July 2003 8 July 2006 Closure of Blackburn Royal Infirmary and expansion of Queens Park hospital 
			 Newham University Hospital 55 27 January 2004 8 July 2006 Reprovision of Acute Services from St. Andrews to Newham General Hospital 
			 University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire 379 27 November 2002 10 July 2006 New District General Hospital at Walsgrave 
			 Southampton University Hospitals 53 1 February 2004 31 July 2006 Cardiac Centre 
			 Northamptonshire Teaching PCT 28 3 March 2005 19 September 2006 New Danetre Community Hospital in Daventry 
			 The Whittington Hospital 32 9 October 2002 20 November 2006 Redevelopment of Acute Hospital services 
			 The Lewisham Hospital 72 8 July 2004 27 November 2006 Redevelopment of University Hospital including the separation of elective and emergency procedures 
			 Barking, Havering and Redbridge Hospitals 238 15 January 2004 6 December 2006 Rationalisation of 2 sites onto 1 adjacent to the existing Oldchurch hospital in Romford 
			 Hampshire PCT 36 18 November 2004 2 January 2007 Redevelopment of Lymington Hospital 
			 Oxford Radcliffe Hospitals 134 19 December 2003 13 January 2007 Reprovision of specialist services from the Radcliffe Infirmary to a new build on the John Radcliffe Hospital site 
			 Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre 37 20 April 2002 2 March 2007 Orthopaedics/medicine redevelopment 
			 Sheffield Teaching Hospitals 35 19 December 2004 21 April 2007 New Hadfield Wing to replace Victorian Vickers wards 
			 Northumberland, Tyne and Wear 24 21 July 2005 23 April 2007 Neuro Disability Centre 
			 Cambridge University Hospital 76 27 October 2004 18 May 2007 Elective Care Centre, Genetics and Diabetes at Addenbrookes 
			 Brighton and Sussex University 36 10 June 2004 25 June 2007 Relocation of Royal Alexandra Hospital for sick Children 
			 West London Mental Health 27 1 June 2005 30 June 2007 Women's enhanced medium secure services 
			 Basildon and Thurrock University Hospitals 59 1 November 2003 1 July 2007 Essex Heart and Lung Centre 
			 Kingston Hospital 33 23 November 2004 3 July 2007 Redevelopment of Kingston Hospital 
			 Leeds Teaching Hospitals 265 15 October 2004 15 December 2007 Regional Oncology and Cancer centre at St. James University Hospital

NHS: Questionnaires

Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many Ipsos MORI NHS questionnaires his Department sent out.

Ben Bradshaw: In the financial year 2007-08, Ipsos MORI worked with the Department on the following questionnaires. The Department does not send out questionnaires.
	
		
			  Survey/questionnaire  Number of questionnaires 
			 General practitioner patient surveyannual Approximately 5 million postal questionnaires sent to patients by Ipsos MORI. Approx 2 million questionnaires issued directly to patients at practices. 
			 Departmental survey: what matters to staff The Department's 'What Matters to Staff' research project included the issuing of a survey questionnaire in the summer of 2007 to a random sample of around 32,000 staff in the national health service including practice staff. 
			 National patient choice surveybimonthly Started in May 2006. Approximately 2,353,187 questionnaires sent to patients to date by NHS trusts. 
			 18 weeks patient experience pilot Two pilot phases: first pilot (five trusts), approximately 4,500 questionnaires sent to patients by trusts. The second pilot (20 trusts and four primary care trusts) is still underway.

Political Impartiality

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  for what purpose his Department records the political opinions of members of his Department's staff;
	(2)  for what purpose his Department records the political opinions of  (a) staff and  (b) the public.

Ben Bradshaw: holding answer 10 January 2008
	The Department does not keep records of the political opinions of its staff. Civil servants are required to act in accordance with the requirements of the Civil Service Code, and section 4.4 of the Civil Service Management Code.
	The Department does not keep records of the political opinions of the public. Members of the public who apply for public appointments within the jurisdiction of the Commissioner for Public Appointments are asked to complete a declaration on political activity.

Primary Care Trusts: Procurement

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Health which primary care trusts are  (a) purchasing and  (b) considering purchasing commissioning support from the 14 organisations appointed to the Framework for Procuring External Support for Commissioners.

Ben Bradshaw: There are currently five organisations that are considering purchase of commissioning support under the FESC process. These are Ashton Leigh and Wigan PCT, North East Lincolnshire PCT, Cambridgeshire PCT, Hampshire PCT and NHS East of England.
	Discussions and negotiations between Hillingdon PCT and BUPA have now been completed and a service contract was signed on 30 January 2008.

Sexual Harassment

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many complaints of  (a) sexual harassment and  (b) sexual discrimination have been made by staff in (i) his Department and (ii) its agencies in the most recent year for which figures are available.

Ben Bradshaw: The number of complaints are given in the following table for the calendar year 2007. Where there has been at least one complaint but less than five the exact figure is not provided on grounds of confidentiality. Any such situation is marked 5 in the table. Nil returns are marked zero.
	
		
			  Type of complaint  Departmental  NHS Purchasing and Supply Agency  Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency 
			 Sexual harassment 5 0 0 
			 Sexual discrimination 0 0 o

Urology: Nurses

Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the role of specialist urology nurses in infection control.

Ann Keen: holding answer 7 February 2008
	No assessment has been carried out centrally. National health service organisations are responsible for the skill mix of their work force. They are best placed to assess the health needs of their local health community and must have the freedom to deploy staff in ways appropriate for local conditions.
	The Department of Health published updated national evidence based guidelines for preventing health care associated infections in NHS hospitals in England as a supplement of the Journal of Hospital Infection in February 2006. The publication includes guidelines for preventing infections associated with short-term indwelling urethral catheters.

Wheelchairs: Finance

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  how the funding element in primary care trust baseline allocations for the improvement of wheelchair provision for children and young people for 2008-09 to 2010-11 will be calculated; and whether such funding will be ring-fenced;
	(2)  when he will publish the new model for the delivery of community wheelchair services;
	(3)  how much each primary care trust spent on  (a) equipment,  (b) overheads and  (c) staffing costs in relation to the provision of wheelchairs for children and young people in the last year for which figures are available.

Ivan Lewis: It is for primary care trusts (PCTs) to determine allocations for the improvement of wheelchair provision for children and young people taking into account local needs, the priorities set out in the national health service operating framework for 2008-09 and other national strategies. The Government recently announced, through the comprehensive spending review, that local authority funding will increase by 2.6 billion by 2010-11 and NHS funding will increase from 35 billion in 1997-98 to 110 billion in 2010-11.
	Information on PCT expenditure in relation to wheelchairs for children and young people is not held centrally.
	Consideration is being given to the findings and recommendations of the Transforming Community Equipment and Wheelchair services project in relation to wheelchair services with a view to confirming the next steps in due course.

CULTURE MEDIA AND SPORT

Archaeology

Robert Key: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many representations have been received by his Department since October 2007 from  (a) hon. and right hon. Members,  (b) Members of the House of Lords,  (c) members of the public and  (d) organisations on the future of the portable antiquities scheme.

Margaret Hodge: The Museums Libraries and Archives Council (MLA) recognises that the Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS) is of national importance. The British Museum (BM) and the MLA are fully committed to the continued success of the PAS and are working together with other stakeholders to ensure that this is achieved.
	Since 1 October 2007, this Department has received  (a) 131 representations from hon. and right hon. Members,  (b) two representations from members of the House of Lords and  (c) 109 from members of the public and other organisations on the subject of the Portable Antiquities Scheme.
	For the purposes of the Department's correspondence statistics we do not differentiate between letters from the public and letters from organisations.

Archaeology

Robert Key: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will transfer the administration of the portable antiquities scheme from the Museums, Libraries and Archives Commission to the British Museum; and if he will make a statement.

Margaret Hodge: The Museums Libraries and Archives Council (MLA) recognises that the Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS) is of national importance. The British Museum and the MLA are fully committed to the continued success of the PAS and are working together with other stakeholders to ensure that this is achieved.
	The PAS is already administered by the British Museum on behalf of the MLA. Any transfer of responsibility for funding of the PAS could only follow after receipt of a joint request from both organisations concerned. My Department would then need to give full and due consideration to such a request, including the impact on the operation of both organisations and the risks involved in such a transfer. No such request has been submitted to my Department.

Archaeology: Finance

Robert Key: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will assess the merits of operating the portable antiquities scheme without finds advisers.

Margaret Hodge: The Museums Libraries and Archives Council (MLA) recognises that the Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS) is of national importance. The British Museum (BM) and the MLA are fully committed to the continued success of the PAS and are working together with other stakeholders to ensure that this is achieved.
	The PAS is administered by the BM on behalf of the MLA. Any decisions about the delivery of the scheme are, therefore, a matter for these organisations. It is not the intention of either the MLA or the BM to operate the PAS without finds advisers.

Archaeology: Finance

Robert Key: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many finds liaison officers (FLOs) under the Portable Antiquities Scheme there are for local authorities in the North East; and where each FLO is based.

Margaret Hodge: The Museums Libraries and Archives Council (MLA) recognises that the Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS) is of national importance. The British Museum and the MLA are fully committed to the continued success of the PAS and are working together with other stakeholders to ensure that this is achieved.
	There is one finds liaison officer for the north-east region, based at the Museum of Antiquities at the university of Newcastle.

Arts

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many people aged 16 years and over  (a) from black and ethnic minority groups,  (b) with a limiting disability,  (c) from lower socio-economic groups and  (d) from the total population did not (i) participate in arts activity and (ii) attend an arts event in each of the last 10 years for which figures are available; and what estimate his Department has made of the most recent level of arts participation in each such group.

Margaret Hodge: The DCMS 'Taking Part' survey provides national data on participation in arts activities and attendance at arts events by adults aged 16 and over. The survey has been running since 2005-06 and the latest available data are from 2006-07. Robust and consistent data relating to the priority groups are not available for years prior to the start of Taking Part.
	The following tables show the percentage of people from our priority groups and the population as a whole who did not attend or participate in the arts during the 12 months prior to interview.
	
		
			  Arts non-participation 
			  Priority group  2005-06 (Percentage)  2006-07 (Percentage) 
			 Black and minority ethnic 54 54 
			 Limiting disability 53 53 
			 Lower socio-economic 58 59 
			 All adults 47 48 
		
	
	
		
			  Arts non-attendance 
			  Priority group  2005-06 (Percentage)  2006-07 (Percentage) 
			 Black and minority ethnic 41 43 
			 Limiting disability 46 46 
			 Lower socio-economic 48 48 
			 All adults 34 34 
		
	
	Using the latest data available, the following tables show the percentage of people from our priority groups and the population as a whole who currently did attend and participate in the arts in the 12 months prior to interview.
	
		
			  Arts participation 
			  Priority group  2006-07 (Percentage) 
			 Black and minority ethnic 46 
			 Limiting disability 47 
			 Lower socio-economic 41 
			 All adults 52 
		
	
	
		
			  Arts attendance 
			  Priority group  2006-07 (Percentage) 
			 Black and minority ethnic 57 
			 Limiting disability 54 
			 Lower socio-economic 52 
			 All adults 66 
		
	
	Note that these figures are survey estimates. For further information about the methodology and full definitions of attendance and participation, see the Taking Part annual report at:
	http://www.culture.gov.uk/Reference.library/rands/taking_part_survey/

Arts

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many people aged 16 and over  (a) from black and ethnic minority groups,  (b) with a limiting disability,  (c) from lower socio-economic groups and  (d) from the total population (i) participated in arts activity and (ii) attended arts events at least twice a year in each of the last 10 years for which figures are available.

Margaret Hodge: The DCMS 'Taking Part' survey provides national data on participation in arts activities and attendance at arts events by adults aged 16 and over. The survey has been running since 2005-06 and the latest available data are from 2006-07. Robust and consistent data relating to the priority groups are not available for years prior to the start of Taking Part.
	The following tables show the percentage of people from our priority groups and the population as a whole who attended and participated in the arts at least twice during the 12 months prior to interview. This relates to the frequency of engagement rather than the number of activities attended/participated in.
	
		
			  Arts  participation 
			  Priority group  2005-06 (Percentage)  2006-07 (Percentage) 
			 Black and minority ethnic 42 39 
			 Limiting disability 40 40 
			 Lower socio-economic 36 35 
			 All adults 46 45 
		
	
	
		
			  Arts attendance 
			  Priority group  2005-06 (Percentage)  2006-07 (Percentage) 
			 Black and minority ethnic 41 39 
			 Limiting disability 39 38 
			 Lower socio-economic 34 33 
			 All adults 50 49 
		
	
	Note that these figures are survey estimates. For further information about the methodology and full definitions of attendance and participation, see the Taking Part annual report at:
	http://www.culture.gov.uk/Reference.library/rands/taking_part_survey/

Arts Council England South East

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport why the appropriate papers and minutes were not available in advance of the Arts Council South East meeting in December 2007.

Margaret Hodge: The appropriate papers and minutes for the 7 December 2007 meeting of the Arts Council South East Council were distributed to council members on 28 November 2007.
	The Arts Council's publication scheme gives details on what information it is committed to make publicly available. The minutes of meetings of regional arts councils are published on Arts Council England's website after they have been approved by the regional council, usually at its subsequent meeting. The Arts Council publication scheme says that information will not be published where it is not in the public interest to do so. This may include papers for regional council meetings, which may contain funding recommendations or other commercially sensitive information.
	The Arts Council's publication scheme is available on their website at:
	www.artscouncil.org.uk/publications/publication_detail.php?sid= 1id=413
	Copies of this document have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

Arts Council England South East: Komedia

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what papers will be made public relating to Komedia's appeal to the Arts Council South East regarding reductions in funding.

Margaret Hodge: Arts Council England operates at arm's length from the Government and decisions about which arts organisations to fund are entirely for them. The Arts Council has a publication scheme which is available on their website at:
	www.artscouncil.org.uk/publications/publication_detail.php?sid=1id=413
	This gives details of their general policy on the information they make publicly available. Copies of this document have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses.
	Under this scheme, the Arts Council does not publish papers where it is not in the public interest to do so, which may include commercially sensitive information relating to funding decisions about individual organisations. Arts Council England, South East will not in this case be making any papers public relating to the proposals regarding reductions in funding.

Arts Council of England: Grants

Helen Southworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport which organisations in the North West have been notified by Arts Council England of withdrawal of funding; what amounts are involved in each case; and what transitional arrangements are to be put in place in each case.

Margaret Hodge: holding answer 7 February 2008
	The Arts Council operates at arm's length from the Government and decisions about which arts organisations to fund are entirely for them.
	Organisations which have been notified of the Arts Council decision to withdraw funding are as follows:
	
		
			  Organisation  Amount 
			 Centre for Arts Development Training (CADT) 14,000 
			 Southport Arts Centre 23,900 
			 New Works (Liverpool Lunchtime Theatre) 28,700 
			 Cartwheel Arts Ltd. 50,500 
			 Business In The Arts:North West 62,700 
			 The Entertainment and arts marketers (Mersey) 68,600 
			 Citadel 78,900 
			 Rejects Revenge Theatre Company 90,500 
			 Chester Gateway Theatre 135,000 
			 Doo Cot Theatre 173,100 
			 Lip Service Theatre Company 39,200 
			 South Lakeland DC 8,900 
			 Copeland BC 23,100 
			 Allerdale BC 25,400 
			 Barrow In Furness BC 41,700 
			 Cumbria CC 41,900 
			 Carlisle CC 71,700 
		
	
	I understand that no formal arrangements for transitional funding have yet been put in place and that discussions are ongoing with the organisations concerned.

Bingo

Tobias Ellwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many  (a) bingo halls and  (b) high street bookmakers there are; and how many there were in February 2007.

Gerry Sutcliffe: No figures are available for the number of high street bookmakers in operation in February 2007. Prior to the introduction of the Gambling Act 2005 (the 2005 Act), high street bookmakers were authorised by permits issued by magistrates courts and no information was collated centrally. The most recent estimate, made in 2003, was that there were 8,800 high street bookmakers.
	Under the 2005 Act, the Gambling Commission is responsible for issuing general betting standard operating licences for high street bookmakers, and licensing authorities are responsible for bookmakers' premises licences. The Gambling Commission has so far issued 691 such operating licences.
	In March 2007, the number of bingo halls holding licences was 647, of which 634 were actually operating. Under the 2005 Act, the Gambling Commission is responsible for issuing bingo operating licences for bingo halls, and licensing authorities are responsible for bingo premises licences. The Gambling Commission has so far issued 218 such operating licences.
	The Gambling Commission will be responsible for collecting information on the number of bookmakers' and bingo premises licences issued by licensing authorities, but complete information is not yet available.

British Amusement Catering Trade Association

Tobias Ellwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what recent representations his Department has received from the British Amusement Catering Trade Association; and if he will make a statement.

Gerry Sutcliffe: A regulatory impact assessment (RIA) was published in April 2005 to accompany the Gambling Act. The RIA included an assessment of the impact of the Act on the gaming machine sector. Copies of the RIA are available in the House Library.
	In addition, impact assessments were prepared for each piece of secondary legislation required to implement the Act. These are published with the related explanatory memorandum on the Office for Public Sector Information website (www.opsi.gov.uk http://www.opsi.gov.uk), and separately on the Department's website (www. culture.gov.uk http://www.culture.gov.uk)
	The Department is engaged in active and continuing dialogue with the British Amusement Catering Trades Association (BACTA). Ministers and officials have had a number of meetings with BACTA officials and members in recent months to discuss issues of concern to the arcades and gaming machine sectors.

Casinos

Tobias Ellwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many adult gaming centres are in operation; and how many were in operation in February 2007.

Gerry Sutcliffe: No figures are available for the number of adult gaming centres (AGCs) in operation in February 2007. Prior to the introduction of the Gambling Act 2005 (the 2005 Act), adult gaming centres were authorised by permits issued by individual local authorities and no information was collated centrally.
	Under the 2005 Act, the Gambling Commission is responsible for issuing gaming machine general operating licences for an AGC, and licensing authorities are responsible for AGC premises licences. The Gambling Commission has so far issued 634 such operating licences.
	The Gambling Commission will be responsible for collecting information on the number of AGC premises licences issued by licensing authorities, but complete information is not yet available.

Casinos

Tobias Ellwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment he has made of the financial impact the introduction of the Gambling Act 2005 has had on adult gaming centres in England and Wales.

Gerry Sutcliffe: A regulatory impact assessment (RIA) was published in April 2005 to accompany the Gambling Act. The RIA included an assessment of the impact of the Act on the gaming machine sector. Copies of the RIA are available in the House Library.
	In addition, impact assessments were prepared for each piece of secondary legislation required to implement the Act. These are published with the related explanatory memorandum on the Office for Public Sector Information website (www.opsi.gov.uk http://www.opsi.gov.uk), and separately on the Department's website (www.culture.gov.uk http://www.culture.gov.uk)
	The Department is engaged in active and continuing dialogue with the British Amusement Catering Trades Association (BACTA). Ministers and officials have had a number of meetings with BACTA officials and members in recent months to discuss issues of concern to the arcades and gaming machine sectors.

Casinos: Licensing

Bob Neill: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport whether problem gambling may be taken into account by a local authority considering whether to grant a casino premises licence under the Gambling Act 2005.

Gerry Sutcliffe: The Gambling Act for the first time provides licensing authorities with the power to resolve not to issue further casino premises licences in their area. The licensing authority may take into account any principle or matter in making its decision, and may pass a resolution at any time.
	Licensing authorities also have the discretion to grant or reject premises licence applications, including any premises licences issued in respect of casinos permitted under the Gambling Act 2005.
	In reaching a decision, licensing authorities must take account of their own three year licensing policy statement and the codes of practice and guidance issued by the Gambling Commission. Licensing authorities must also take into account the three licensing objectives of the Act, which include protecting children and other vulnerable people from being harmed or exploited by gambling.

Convergence Think Tank

Edward Vaizey: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport who the members are of his Convergence Think Tank; on which dates the Convergence Think Tank plans to hold its seminars; what the title is of each seminar; what the  (a) names and  (b) job titles are of those invited to attend each seminar; and what estimate he has made of the cost of establishing and running the Convergence Think Tank.

Andy Burnham: The Convergence Think Tank consists of a steering group of senior officials from my Department, the Department for Business Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR) and four industry experts; Robin Foster, Chris Earnshaw, John Willis and Tess Read. There is also a strategy team of officials from my Department and BERR. Ofcom will also provide input to the think tank's work.
	On 21 December we announced details of the industry experts and of the first three seminars:
	1. 'Why does convergence matter?'7 February 2008.
	2. 'Competition and Innovation: content and services'18 March 2008.
	3. 'Competition and Innovation: networks'22 April 2008.
	Further seminars are planned and will be announced in due course.
	Costs are currently estimated at 300,000, in addition to internal staff costs.
	Around 250 invitations have been sent out to date and I will send a copy of the list of invitees to the hon. Member and arrange for copies of the list to be deposited in the Libraries of the House.

Cultural Heritage

Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what the role of the Chair of the World Collections Programme will be in decisions relating to requests from foreign governments and cultural institutions for the restitution of artefacts held by British museums.

Margaret Hodge: holding answer 5 February 2008
	The aim of the six museums involved in the World Collections Programme and consequently that of the Chair is to develop their connections with other collections around the world. The role does not carry any decision-making responsibilities in relation to restitution requests for items in national collections.

Departmental Data Protection

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many external  (a) consultants and  (b) consultancies were given access to (i) commercially confidential and (ii) personal data by his Department in the last 12 months.

Gerry Sutcliffe: Six external consultancies were given access to commercially confidential data in the last 12 months as part of the delivery of departmental projects. No external consultants or consultancies were given access to personal data by my Department in the last 12 months.

Departmental Databases

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what databases are  (a) owned and  (b) maintained by (i) his Department and (ii) its agencies.

Gerry Sutcliffe: My Department  (a) owns and  (b) maintains the following databases:
	
		
			  Database  
			 Freedom of Information Act Case Management System Used to record and progress FoI cases and general correspondence through the DCMS 
			 Asset Tracking Records location of DCMS hardware assets, e.g. PCs, servers, etc. and software 
			 Cabinet Committee Correspondence Records details of correspondence for the Cabinet 
			 Central Information and Briefing Unit Wiki Holds information on the current work programmes in the Department 
			 Lottery Grants Records details of lottery grants made by distributing bodies on behalf of good causes 
			 Records Centre Records details of all DCMS records 
			 Records Centre (Online) Used to request DCMS records 
			 Parliamentary Questions Used to record and progress all parliamentary questions assigned to the DCMS 
			 Sponsored Bodies Records details of DCMS sponsored bodies and appointments of member to these bodies 
			 Calendar of Events Records details of DCMS events 
			 User Accounts Report Form/Password Reset Database Used to unlock accounts and request access to various applications 
			 Calendar of IT Works Database Records details of IT events, e.g. downtime 
			 Consultation (Internal) Used by the DCMS to record results of consultations e.g. BBC Charter Review 
			 Consultation (External) Used by the members of the public to record their views of consultations e.g. BBC Charter Review 
			 Dome Documents Records details of records associated with the Millennium Dome 
			 Information Centre Enquiry Used by the Information Centre and Central Information and Briefing Unit to record details of enquiries to the DCMS both from members of the public and from within the DCMS 
			 Skills Used to record details of DCMS staff skills, knowledge and experience 
			 Memorial Services Used to support memorial services organised by the Department 
			 Government Art Collection Management System Used to manage the artworks in the Government Art Collection 
			 Staff Directory Maintains details of users' contact details and roles 
			 Honours Database Used to store details of honours and potential candidates for honours

Departmental E-mail

Bob Neill: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what his Department's policy is on staff using their departmental email accounts for commercial purposes unrelated to their work.

Gerry Sutcliffe: The departmental e-mail system is primarily for work use. Occasional and reasonable personal use is permitted provided it does not interfere with the performance of duties. Any activity that would bring the Department into disrepute is prohibited.

Departmental Marketing

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport pursuant to the answer of 22 January 2008,  Official Report, column 1809W, on departmental marketing, what the size was of each of the two displays produced for the London Open House.

Gerry Sutcliffe: The two displays produced for the London Open House had identical dimensions, as follows:
	
		
			   cm 
			 Width 67.5 
			 Depth 99

Departmental Statistics

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will publish updated versions of statistics included in the  (a) Taking Part: The National Survey of Culture, Leisure and Sport,  (b) Alcohol, Entertainment and Late Night Refreshment Licensing Statistics,  (c) Creative Industries Economic Estimates and  (d) Television Export Statistics publications.

Margaret Hodge: The most recent versions of statistics are currently available on the Department for Culture, Media and Sport website.
	http://www.culture.gov.uk/Reference_library/rands/.
	The table shows when the following statistics are currently scheduled to be updated and released:
	
		
			  Statistic  Type of release  Release date 
			  (a) Taking Part Survey: The National Survey of Culture, Leisure and Sport Year three provisional estimates, and Public Service Agreement 3 progress report June 2008 
			  (b) Alcohol, Entertainment and Late Night Refreshment Licensing Statistics Bulletin 2007-08 Annual Bulletin Autumn 2008 
			  (c) Creative Industries Economic Estimates Annual update Autumn 2008 
			  (d) Television Export Statistics publication 2007 Annual Report April 2008(1) 
			 (1) Television Export Statistics publication release to be confirmed 
		
	
	For all national statistics, and where possible for other products, we publish the month of release six months before and a release date up to four weeks before.
	Publication dates of all future statistical releases are available on the research and statistics section on the Department for Culture, Media and Sport website.
	http://www.culture.gov.uk/Reference_library/rands/.
	The website should be checked for the most up to date release information.

Digital Broadcasting: Television

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what performance indicators the BBC have established for evaluating the value for money of its funding of Digital UK.

Andy Burnham: This is a matter for the BBC. I have, therefore, asked the BBC's Director of Finance to consider the question raised by the hon. Member and to write to him direct. Copies of the reply will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

Digital Broadcasting: Television

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what the results were of Digital UK's monthly external mystery shopping of its call centres in each month since August 2007.

Andy Burnham: Digital UK (DUK) does not conduct monthly external mystery shopping assessments of its UK call centre in Scotland. Instead, to date, DUK has commissioned GfK Mystery Shopping to carry out two waves of 50 assessments of their customer call centre in September and in October 2007, which were designed to test the call centre both in advance of the first Whitehaven/Copeland digital switchover and up to and including the switchover date itself on 17 October, when a higher volume of calls had been expected. The results of the first wave of assessments carried out in September are summarised as follows:
	92 per cent. of agents appeared knowledgeable in relation to the inquiries overall.
	Switchover dates when provided were given accurately. A number of callers (17) were not provided with switchover dates in their areas. These occasions were generally during call scenarios where the provision of a switchover date was not imperative.
	86 per cent. of callers had a more positive view of Digital UK after the call and 30 per cent. of callers rated the service they received as excellent.
	The results of the assessment carried out between 15 and 17 October in the final week leading up to and including the first Whitehaven/Copeland switchover date itself are summarised as follows:
	88 per cent. of agents appeared knowledgeable in relation to the inquiries.
	90 per cent. of callers had a more positive view of Digital UK after the call and 40 per cent. of callers rated the service they received as excellent.

Digital Broadcasting: Television

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport whether the receiver equipment provided as part of the digital switchover help scheme includes a talking electronic programme guide to enable access to channels and programmes by blind and partially sighted people; and if he will make a statement.

Andy Burnham: The equipment provided by the Digital Switchover Help Scheme so far has not included a talking Electronic Programme Guide (EPG). However, we have had discussions on this issue with the RNIB and it is now under consideration by the Emerging Technologies Group, which has been set up to consider and recommend technological updates to equipment provided by the scheme.

Digital Switchover Help Scheme: Copeland

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many of those in the Copeland area who have received assistance from the digital switchover targeted assistance scheme have opted for  (a) satellite,  (b) cable,  (c) television via a telephone line and  (d) freeview.

Andy Burnham: The figures are as follows:
	
		
			   Number 
			 (a) 573 
			 (b) (1) 
			 (c) 0 
			 (d) 2,043 
			 (1) Not available in Copeland.

Digital Switchover Help Scheme: Copeland

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport pursuant to the answer of 22 January 2008,  Official Report, column 1809W, on digital switchover help scheme: Copeland, what targets were set for the expected response rate from households in Copeland eligible for assistance from the digital switchover targeted assistance scheme.

Andy Burnham: No response rate target was set for the Digital Switchover Help Scheme during the Copeland switchover.

Digital Switchover Help Scheme: Copeland

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport pursuant to the answer of 22 January 2008,  Official Report, column 1809W, on digital switchover help scheme: Copeland, what estimate was made of the number of people in Copeland who qualify for the digital switchover targeted assistance scheme who are registered blind or partially sighted and qualify on grounds of registration rather than on grounds of age or entitlement to disability benefits; and what efforts were made to contact them.

Andy Burnham: A total 202 individuals were identified as registered blind or partially sighted people living in the Copeland area. Of these, seven individuals only qualified solely on grounds of being either registered blind or registered partially sighted. All seven individuals were contacted by the Help Scheme operator and invited to make claims.
	In addition to the communications issued by Digital UK to all residents, the West Cumbria Society of the Blind contacted approximately 300 of their members in and around the Copeland area to draw attention to the assistance available from the Help Scheme.

Digital Switchover Help Scheme: Finance

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport 
	(1)  what estimate he has made of the average cost of upgrading a home to receive digital television as part of the targeted assistance programme; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  what the  (a) best case and  (b) worst case modelling was for the cost of the digital switchover targeted assistance scheme;
	(3)  if he will provide a full budgetary breakdown of the 603 million ring-fenced within the BBC licence fee settlement to pay for the digital switchover targeted assistance scheme;
	(4)  how much of the 603 million funding for the targeted assistance scheme has been allocated for contingencies.

Andy Burnham: This information is commercially sensitive while the BBC conducts a procurement process to identify a contractor to deliver the digital switchover help scheme. Once this process is complete, I will place a report in the Libraries of both Houses which sets out the methodology and assumptions used to develop a model to estimate the costs of the help scheme.

Digital UK: Advertising

Alistair Carmichael: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much has been spent on advertising by digital UK, broken down by region; and how much will be spent on advertising in each region in each year until 2012.

Andy Burnham: I have asked Digital UK to write to the hon. Member with the information requested. I will arrange for copies of the letter to be placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

Digital UK: Hearing Impaired

Alistair Carmichael: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport whether there are plans to set up an email helpline for Digital UK to enable those with hearing difficulties to make enquiries on digital switchover.

Andy Burnham: Digital UK intends to introduce a public e-mail contact channel in autumn 2008. The RNID has advised that e-mail is an accessible communications channel for deaf and hard of hearing people and a specific address for them would not be required. Digital UK's customer contact centre staff have undergone disability awareness training and are able to answer questions relating to all aspects of digital switchover.
	Digital UK promotes its text service number 0845 234 0380 on all information leaflets, including door-drops sent to every household in a TV region in the build up to switchover. In addition their leaflets are available on request in large print, Braille and other accessible formats on 0845 234 0388 or through their general call centre number on 08456 50 50 50.
	As digital switchover approaches in a region, Digital UK will work through organisations which represent deaf people at a local or regional level to reach those who may need extra help to switch. This was the approach taken in the Copeland area.
	RNID and TAG, a consortium of national organisations working on behalf of deaf people to promote equality of access to broadcasting and other electronic communications, are members of the Consumer Expert Group which advises Government and Digital UK on consumer issues relating to digital switchover.

Dwain Chambers

Hugh Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport whether he has had discussions on the decision to allow Dwain Chambers to compete following his drugs ban; and if he will make a statement.

Gerry Sutcliffe: The Secretary of State has not had any discussions on the decision to allow Dwain Chambers to compete following his ban for failing a drug-test.
	Selection of athletes is a matter for the National Governing Bodies (NGBs) of sport, in this case UK Athletics, in line with the rules set out in the World Anti-Doping Code.

European Year of Intercultural Dialogue

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans he has to mark 2008 as the European Year of Intercultural Dialogue.

Gerry Sutcliffe: holding answer 7 February 2008
	The European Year of Intercultural Dialogue 2008, for which my Department is in the lead, provides an opportunity to highlight the UK's achievements in encouraging dialogue and to make further progress. The launch event, hosted by the Slovenian EU presidency in Ljubljana on 6-7 January, was attended by an official from my Department and also by the British Council and other UK organisations.
	We have appointed EUCLID, the UK's Cultural Contact Point for the EU Culture Programme, as the UK's National Co-ordinating Body for the Year. We have asked EUCLID to draw up a programme of events. The major events planned so far are the UK launch event for the year in Manchester in early March and a conference in Liverpool on 1-3 May on Intercultural Cities.
	I am also very pleased that Liverpool's project, Intercultural City, which forms part of Liverpool's Capital of Culture programme, has been chosen by the European Commission as the representative UK national project for the year, and will receive funding from the Commission. This project will last throughout 2008.
	We want to encourage all organisations which are planning projects involving intercultural dialogue to apply to register them on the EUCLID website
	http://inter.culture.info

Fair Trade Initiative

Michael Moore: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what his Department's policy is on the use of fair trade goods  (a) in staff catering facilities and  (b) at official departmental functions and meetings; and if he will make a statement.

Gerry Sutcliffe: Staff have the opportunity to purchase fair trade tea, coffee and confectionery in the Department's staff restaurant.
	Fair Trade tea and coffee is supplied at official functions and meetings.

Film

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will make a statement on his film policy.

Margaret Hodge: The Government aim to help create a sustainable, stable and successful film industry that brings both cultural and economic benefits to the UK.
	To achieve this, the UK Government will continue to direct financial support for the production of culturally British films.
	The main forms of funding support are the new film tax relief, and grant in aid/lottery funding distributed through a number of organisations including the UK Film Council.
	Since the establishment of the UK Film Council in 2000, over 100 feature films have been supported, as have around 300 short films and about 400 script development projects. An estimated 34 million people have seen these films in UK cinemas.
	The New Cinema Fund was established to support creative innovation and new talent, and has been involved with such award winning films as Ken Loach's The Wind that Shakes the Barley (Palme d'Or, Cannes) and Kevin MacDonald's Touching the Void (BAFTA, Best British Film).

Gambling

Henry Bellingham: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what the basis was for the decision to introduce B3A machines under the auspices of the Gambling Act 2005; and what evidential factors were considered when deciding to introduce the machines.

Gerry Sutcliffe: The introduction of the category B3A gaming machine under the Gambling Act 2005 was intended to assist non-commercial clubs, such as the Royal British Legion and Miners' Welfare Institutes, with their fundraising efforts.
	The background to the introduction of the B3A category was included in the regulatory impact assessment and explanatory memorandum which accompanied the Categories of Gaming Machine Regulations 2007. The regulations can be accessed at:
	www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si2007/em/uksiem_20072158_en.pdf
	Non-commercial clubs can make the B3A gaming machine available as part of their entitlement to category B machines. The B3A gaming machine has a maximum prize of 500 and must not allow the user to engage in any form of gambling apart from a lottery. At least 20 per cent. of the proceeds from the machine must be used in support of the club's activities, which must be conducted for charitable, sporting, cultural or not-for-profit purposes.

Historic Buildings: Conservation

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps the Government has taken to promote the preservation of historic buildings in the West Midlands since 1997.

Gerry Sutcliffe: holding answer 7 February 2008
	English Heritage has a statutory role in the planning process and provides expert advice and guidance on the maintenance, care and enhancement of historic buildings, monuments and places in the West Midlands. It works with owners, trusts and local authorities as well as regional and sub-regional strategic partners to find solutions for historic buildings at risk in the region.
	Government funding for the historic environment is mostly provided through English Heritage. Since 1997(1), English Heritage has provided 15.2 million in grants for the historic environment in the West Midlands. In addition, it has contributed towards the 20 million provided, with the Heritage Lottery Fund, to listed places of worship in the West Midlands through the Joint Places of Worship Grant Fund.
	In addition to English Heritage, between April 2002 and March 2007, 4.8 million has been provided to listed places of worship in the West Midlands through the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme.
	Between 1997 and 2007, the Heritage Lottery Fund has provided awards worth 185.5 million to the built environment in the West Midlands (including awards to activities such as access, learning, participation and enjoyment of historic buildings).
	(1) Figures for period 1998-08. Figures are not available for the period 1997-98.

Historic Buildings: Plymouth

Gary Streeter: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what progress has been made by English Heritage in reaching agreement with Plymouth City Council on the listing of the Civic Centre and its future development.

Margaret Hodge: English Heritage met Plymouth city council in summer 2007 and offered its expertise to help resolve the future of the civic centre. English Heritage remains keen to help negotiate proposals which balance the qualities of the building with the wider regeneration aspirations for the city.

Jacqueline Asafu-Adjaye

Bob Neill: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport whether Ms Jacqueline Asafu-Adjaye is employed by his Department.

Gerry Sutcliffe: Jacqueline Asafu-Adjaye is employed by DCMS.

Licensing Act 2003

Bob Neill: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what the timetable is of each element of the assorted evaluation of the impact of the Licensing Act 2003.

Gerry Sutcliffe: The Government's evaluation of the impact of the Licensing Act 2003 consists of a number of different projects. A report drawing together the main conclusions from these strands will be published shortly.
	The main elements of the evaluation are:
	Scrutiny Councils Initiative: a final report was issued in July 2006. The Scrutiny Councils have been asked recently whether there are any updates on the position reported in 2006.
	Independent Fees Panel Report: published 25 January 2007.
	Review of Statutory Guidance: completed and revised guidance was issued on 28 June 2007.
	Live Music Forum Report: published 3 July 2007.
	Alcohol, Entertainment and Late Night Refreshment Licensing Statistical Bulletin: published on 8 November 2007.
	DCMS Simplification Plan: the Department's second Simplification Plan was published on 4 December 2007.
	Closing times data: commissioned by DCMS from CGA Strategy Ltd. to analyse actual Saturday closing timesdata collected and to be published shortly.
	The impact of the Licensing Act 2003 on levels of crime and disorder: the Home Office expects to publish its report shortly.

Licensing Act 2003

Bob Neill: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport whether  (a) police authorities,  (b) police forces,  (c) magistrates and the judiciary,  (d) the Association of Chief Police Officers and  (e) local authorities, have been formally consulted as part of the evaluation of the impact of the Licensing Act 2003.

Gerry Sutcliffe: The evaluation brings together the various projects which were established to monitor the impact of the Licensing Act 2003. Those projects would have involved a variety of stakeholders. For example, the Scrutiny Council initiative involved 10 local authorities, but also drew on their wider licensing forums and in some cases the experiences of authorities in their surrounding areas. Similarly, the Justices Clerks Society, Local Authorities Coordinators of Regulatory Services and the Association of Chief Police Officers were members of the stakeholder group which helped review the statutory guidance to licensing authorities and several police forces and local authorities responded to the consultation on that review.

Members: Correspondence

Patrick McLoughlin: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when he expects to reply substantively to the letter of 4 December 2007 from the hon. Member for West Derbyshire concerning his constituent, Mr. B. Mallalieu.

Andy Burnham: The original case referred to in the letter of 4 December 2007 from the right hon. member for West Derbyshire was transferred to the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR) on the 26 November 2007. Our records show that a letter informing the right hon. member of this transfer was dispatched at the time. I apologise for the delay in responding to the right hon. Member's follow-up letter of 4 December. A reply has now been sent.

National Lottery: Grants

Alan Milburn: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will estimate the amount of funding from the national lottery  (a) per head of population and  (b) in total for each local authority area in each of the last five years.

Gerry Sutcliffe: The total value of lottery grants awarded since the national lottery began to operate in November 1994 is 19,733,936,681. This figure is derived from the DCMS lottery grants database. This represents 325.71 per head of population using a population figure of 60,587,300. The population figures used are the mid-2006 estimates of the Office of National Statistics.
	The totals awarded in each local authority area in each of the last five years are set out in the following tables. These will be placed in both Libraries of the House.
	The Department's Lottery Grants Database is searchable at:
	www.lottery.culture.gov.uk
	and uses information supplied by the lottery distributors.

National Lottery: Southend on Sea

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much was paid in grants from lottery funds to organisations in Southend-on-Sea  (a) in cash terms and  (b) as a percentage of the Essex total in each of the last three years.

Gerry Sutcliffe: Since the national lottery began to operate in November 1994, Southend-on-Sea has received 283 grants with a total award value of 14,712,191. In the same time period Essex has received 4,679 grants with a total value of 258,522,025.
	The figures for each of the last three completed financial years are given in the following table.
	
		
			   Financial year 
			   2004-05  2005-06  2006-07 
			 Essex total award value () 19,804,859 19,950,420 14,018,349 
			 Southend-on-Sea total award value () 579,121 729,384 1,426,020 
			 Southend-on-Sea percentage of Essex total award value 2.92 3.66 10.17 
		
	
	The search is location specific. That is the figure includes only grants that are specific to location in the region and exclude grants that might have gone to addresses in the region, but are not otherwise related to it. The Department's lottery grants database is searchable at www.lottery.culture.gov.uk and uses information supplied by the lottery distributors.

National Lottery: Southend on Sea

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport 
	(1)  how much was paid in each prize awarded by the national lottery to individuals who purchased lottery tickets in Southend-on-Sea in each of the last three years for which information is available;
	(2)  how much was paid in each prize awarded by the national lottery to individuals who reside in Southend-on-Sea in each of the last three years for which information is available.

Gerry Sutcliffe: The information requested is not available. The national lottery operator, Camelot, does not collect prize payout information on a constituency or postcode basis, nor does it collect the addresses of winners who win prizes of less than 500.
	Furthermore, Camelot does not collect ticket purchase information on individual retail customers, nor does it collect sales information on a constituency, district, county or postcode basis. However, an analysis of sales data by postcode area is available in the Libraries of both Houses and provides information up to 2004.

National Lottery: Southend on Sea

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what the value of unclaimed national lottery winnings is  (a) in total and  (b) arising from tickets sold in Southend-on-Sea since the national lottery began; and how such unclaimed money is managed.

Gerry Sutcliffe: From the national lottery's launch in 1994 to 11 February 2008, there has been a total of 978.8 million in unclaimed prizes. The national lottery operator, Camelot, does not collect a total value of unclaimed prizes in relation to any constituency, district, county or postcode.
	Amounts in respect of unclaimed prizes are paid to the Good Causes via the National Lottery Distribution Fund (NLDF) or Olympic Lottery Distribution Fund (OLDF) as appropriate, 180 days after the relevant draw, 180 days after the end of the relevant scratchcard game or 180 days after the date on which the Interactive Instant Win Game was played. The unclaimed prize money is held in Player Trust Accounts for the 180-day period. Camelot is required to publicise larger unclaimed prizes in the area where the ticket was purchased during this time in order to encourage winners to come forward. This has included raising public awareness through television, radio and other creative publicity initiatives.

National Lottery: Southend on Sea

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what the largest amount of national lottery money is that has been awarded to  (a) an organisation and  (b) an organisation in Southend-on-Sea since the lottery was established; and if he will make a statement.

Gerry Sutcliffe: The largest single grant was awarded to the New Millennium Experience Company. The grant for 604 million was awarded in November 1997.
	The largest grant awarded in the local authority area of Southend-on-Sea was awarded by the Heritage Lottery Fund in March 1999. The recipient was the Southend-on-Sea borough council and the grant of 1.5 million was used for the Southend Cliff Gardens Project.
	The Department's Lottery Grants Database is searchable at:
	www.lottery.culture.gov.uk
	and uses information supplied by the lottery distributors.

Obesity

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what his Department's target is for reducing obesity; and what baseline figure was set.

Gerry Sutcliffe: Last year's comprehensive spending review set a new public service agreement (PSA) to Improve the Health and Wellbeing of Children and Young People, which is co-owned by the Department of Health and the Department for Children, Schools and Families.
	As part of this new PSA, there is the commitment to reduce the rate of increase in obesity among children under 11 as a first step towards a long-term national ambition by 2020 to reduce the proportion of overweight and obese children to 2000 levels in the context of tackling obesity across the population.
	The baseline figure is still in development and will be confirmed by the Department of Health by April this year.
	The Department for Culture, Media and Sport remains a key partner in delivery of this commitment.

Portable Antiquities Scheme: Finance

David Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment he has made of the effect a real terms reduction in funding for the Portable Antiquities Scheme would have on the reporting of treasure finds in England and Wales; and if he will make a statement.

Margaret Hodge: The Museums Libraries and Archives Council (MLA) recognises that the Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS) is of national importance. The British Museum and the MLA are fully committed to the continued success of the PAS and are working together with other stakeholders to ensure that this is achieved.
	The PAS is funded by the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council (MLA) and administered on their behalf by the British Museum (BM). Any assessment regarding the scheme is therefore a matter for the MLA and the BM. The contribution of the PAS to the reporting of treasure finds is recognised and will be a factor in ensuring the scheme's future strength.

Public Libraries: Standards

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what progress has been made in reducing the striking variation in the standard of library services in different parts of the country identified in his Department's 2003 publication Framework for the Future: Libraries, Learning and Information in the Next Decade.

Margaret Hodge: At a national level my Department continues to advocate for the valuable role libraries play in every community, and to share best practice within the sector to raise national standards. DCMS does not, however, individually manage public library authorities. Libraries are a locally managed and delivered service, and therefore subject to local funding decisions.
	In 2004-05 only 55 per cent. of authorities passed more than five Public Library Service Standards (PLSS). This figure rose to 70 per cent. by 2006-07, indicating an overall improvement in national service quality. Among the authorities that have improved most notably are Oldham and the East Riding of Yorkshirehaving each passed only three out of 10 Standards in 2004-05, they now pass nine. Improvements in library opening hours have been particularly significant since the introduction of PLSS 2, which challenges authorities to open their libraries for 128 hours per 1,000 population: since the publication of Framework for the Future in 2003 the number of libraries open for more than 60 hours per week has more than doubled, from 42 to 97.
	In implementing the Government's strategy for libraries, Framework for the Future, the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council (MLA) has introduced a number of programmes to promote improvement in the public library service. 661 people have completed MLA leadership training, ensuring effective delivery of library services into the future. 16 authorities have benefited from the experience and support offered through their successful peer review programme, helping them to improve services.
	The MLA also manages The People's Network Service, at:
	www.peoplesnetwork.gov.uk.
	Launched in October 2005 the network presents a national online presence for public libraries, offering 24 hour access to innovative services, plus campaigns and features.
	MLA is currently developing a public library strategy for 2008-11 that will build on the successful delivery of Framework for the Future.

Regional Arts Councils: Public Participation

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what requirement there is for Arts Council regional meetings to be held in public; and if he will make a statement.

Margaret Hodge: Currently there is no requirement for Arts Council regional meetings to be held in public and meetings of both the national and the regional arts councils are not open to members of the public. However, the Arts Council publication scheme sets out the information it is committed to make publicly available, which includes the minutes of national council and regional council meetings. The Arts Council's publication scheme is available on the website:
	www.artscouncil.org.uk/publications/publication_detail.php?sid=1id=413
	Copies of this document have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006

Hugh Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment he has made of the potential effect of the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006 on open age sport.

Gerry Sutcliffe: The Department for Children Schools and Families, the Department of Health and the Home Office share responsibility for the implementation of the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006.
	We are aware that these Departments received feedback on the issue of under 18-year-olds playing in open age sport from a wide range of stakeholders in the sports sector during the course of last year. We are also aware that they have no intention to make any activity a regulated activity unnecessarily, particularly if that means children could be denied access to a wide range of sporting activity.

Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006

Hugh Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport which ministerial colleagues he consulted over the consequences for sport of the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006.

Gerry Sutcliffe: The Department for Children Schools and Families, the Department of Health and the Home Office share responsibility for the Independent Safeguarding Authority scheme and the implementation of the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006.
	DCMS was involved in the consultation and continues to be involved in discussion on the implementation of the scheme and its impact on the sports sector.

Sexual Harassment

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many complaints of  (a) sexual harassment and  (b) sexual discrimination have been made by staff in (i) his Department and (ii) its agencies in the most recent year for which figures are available.

Gerry Sutcliffe: There have been no cases of sexual harassment or sexual discrimination in DCMS since 2002. There have been four cases in the Royal Parks since 1991two cases of sexual discrimination and two cases of sexual harassment.

Shropshire

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what the value was of each grant provided by his Department, its associated agencies and non-departmental public bodies to  (a) Shrewsbury and Atcham borough council,  (b) Shropshire county council and  (c) Telford and the Wrekin borough council in (i) 2006-07 and (ii) 2007-08; and what grants have been planned for 2008-09.

Margaret Hodge: DCMS has provided no direct grants to these local authorities in the financial years 2006-07, 2007-08 and has no plans to do so in 2008-09. Information on grants provided by the Department's agencies and non-departmental public bodies is held by the bodies themselves. This information is not held centrally.

Sports

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment he has made of progress towards his Department's public service agreement target to increase significantly the take-up of sports opportunities by users from priority groups; and if he will make a statement.  [Official Report, 7 March 2008, Vol. 472, c. 27MC.]

Gerry Sutcliffe: The DCMS 'Taking Part' survey is being used to measure progress against this public service agreement.
	The most recent results were published in December 2007 and are in the tables. They provide a comparison between the baseline figures and the second year results of the survey.
	The moderate level intensity sport indicator is defined as participation in moderate intensity level sport for at least 30 minutes on three separate days during the past week.
	
		
			  Percentage 
			  Priority group  Year 1  Year 2 
			 Black and minority ethnic 19.2 19.6 
			 Limiting disability 9.5 9.4 
			 Lower socio-economic 15.2 15.3 
			 Women 18.5 18.3 
			 All adults 20.9 21.5 
		
	
	The active sport indicator is defined as at least one occasion of participation in an active sport during the past four weeks.
	
		
			  Percentage 
			  Priority group  Year 1  Year 2 
			 Black and minority ethnic 53.3 51.9 
			 Limiting disability 32.3 31.7 
			 Lower socio-economic 43.4 42.2 
			 Women 47.7 46.2 
			 All adults 53.7 53.4 
		
	
	Sport England have been working to increase the number of participants in sport through a range of interventions across sports organisations at a regional and local level; including national governing bodies, county sports partnerships, community sports networks, sports clubs and others. Since 1997-98, over 4 billion has been invested through Government and the lottery on sport in England.
	Participation will be an integral part of Sport England's new strategy to build a world-class community sport infrastructure.

Sports

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many people aged 16 and above  (a) from black and ethnic minority groups,  (b) with a limiting disability,  (c) from low socio-economic groups,  (d) who are women and  (e) in total did not participate in any form of sport (i) in each year for which figures are available and (ii) in the latest period for which figures are available.

Gerry Sutcliffe: According to the Taking Part survey, the following data represents those who did not participate in any sport or recreational physical activity during the preceding 12 months.
	
		
			   2005-06  2006-07 
			  Priority g roup  Percentage  Number  Percentage  Number 
			 Black and minority ethnic 32.2 1,260,639 33.9 1,333,611 
			 Limiting disability 54.2 4,639,239 54.9 4,653,667 
			 Lower socio-economic 41.5 6,534,978 40.6 6,464,348 
			 Women 35.3 7,239,154 35.2 7,212,542 
			 All adults 30.5 12,114,715 29.9 11,913,593

Sports

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many people aged 16 and over  (a) from black and ethnic minority groups,  (b) with a limiting disability,  (c) from low socio-economic groups,  (d) who are women and  (e) in total (i) participated in active sports at least 12 times a year and (ii) engaged in at least 30 minutes of moderate intensity level sport at least three times a week (A) in each year for which figures are available and (B) at the latest date for which figures are available.  [Official Report, 7 March 2008, Vol. 472, c. 28MC.]

Gerry Sutcliffe: The DCMS 'Taking Part' survey provides national data on sports participation.
	The most recent results were published in December 2007 and are in the tables. They provide a comparison between the baseline figures and the second year results of the survey.
	The moderate level intensity sport indicator is defined as participation in moderate intensity level sport for at least 30 minutes on three separate days during the past week.
	
		
			  Percentage 
			  Priority group  Year 1  Year 2 
			 Black and minority ethnic 19.2 19.6 
			 Limiting disability 9.5 9.4 
			 Lower socio-economic 15.2 15.3 
			 Women 18.5 18.3 
			 All adults 20.9 21.5 
		
	
	The active sport indicator is defined as at least one occasion of participation in an active sport during the past four weeks.
	
		
			  Percentage 
			  Priority group  Year 1  Year 2 
			 Black and minority ethnic 53.3 51.9 
			 Limiting disability 32.3 31.7 
			 Lower socio-economic 43.4 42.2 
			 Women 47.7 46.2 
			 All adults 53.7 53.4

Sports: Finance

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what financial support his Department provided to promote  (a) sport and  (b) the arts in the North East in each of the last five years.

Gerry Sutcliffe: DCMS has provided the following financial support to promote  (a) Sport and  (b) the Arts in the North East in each of the last five years through Sport England and the Arts Council respectively.
	
		
			  (a) Sport 
			   Funding () 
			 2002-03 13,224,971 
			 2003-04 5,017,216 
			 2004-05 18,644,343 
			 2005-06 5,079,713 
			 2006-07 7,364,550 
		
	
	In addition, in 2003, DCMS contributed 2.863 million of PFI Credits to the Boldon Colliery Community Theatre and Swimming Pool PFI scheme which is being led by DCSF.
	
		
			  (b) The Arts in the North East 
			   Funding () 
			 2002-03 7,297,581 
			 2003-04 14,018,479 
			 2004-05 15,719,234 
			 2005-06 18,127,079 
			 2006-07 18,358,720

Sports: Greater London

Karen Buck: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many sports clubs are registered in each London borough.

Gerry Sutcliffe: DCMS does not hold the information requested and there is no central register for such clubs.

Sports: Young People

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what mechanisms are in place to provide support to outstanding young athletes in relation to elite sport.

Andy Burnham: For our most talented athletes, UK Sport, the Government's high performance sports agency, operates a World Class Performance Programme supporting our aspiring Olympic and Paralympic athletes at podium, development and talent levels.
	The Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme (TASS) and TASS 2012 Scholarships aim to bridge the gap between junior representative sport and world class levels for athletes typically aged between 12 and 25. This provides funding to meet the costs of providing talented athletes with a package of support services, including coaching, sports medicine, conditioning and lifestyle management.

Telephone Calls: Ofcom

Alistair Carmichael: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when he expects Ofcom to issue its review of charges of calls made to 0870 numbers; what the reasons are for the time taken to complete the review; and if he will make a statement.

Malcolm Wicks: I have been asked to reply.
	The matter raised is the responsibility of the independent regulator, the Office of Communications (Ofcom), which is accountable to Parliament rather than Ministers. Accordingly, I have asked the chief executive of Ofcom to reply directly to the hon. Member. Copies of the chief executive's letter will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

Television: Disability Aids

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will take steps to encourage digital television  (a) broadcasters and  (b) equipment providers to incorporate talking menus and programme guides in digital television (i) broadcasts and (ii) receivers for blind and partially sighted people.

Andy Burnham: Ofcom is responsible for promoting the development of electronic programme guides (EPGs) accessible to people with visual impairments. Ofcom's codes of practice on access services and EPGs already require broadcasters to supply relevant data, and EPG providers to make their EPGs usable by people with visual and hearing impairments, so far as practicable.
	There is already one specialised digital receiver available that uses broadcast EPG data to provide a speaking EPG. Ofcom continues to encourage equipment manufacturers and service providers to make available mainstream digital receivers with speaking EPGs.

Tourism: East of England

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what estimate he has made of the average expenditure per head by overseas tourists visiting  (a) the Eastern region and  (b) Peterborough city council area in each of the last five years.

Margaret Hodge: The table shows the average expenditure per visit by overseas residents visiting the  (a) East of England and  (b) Peterborough in the last five years for which data is available.
	
		
			  Average expenditure ( 1)  per visit by overseas residents 
			   
			   2002  2003  2004  2005  2006 
			 East of England(2) 372 335 315 325 421 
			 Peterborough(3) 377 224 283 334 268 
			 (1 )Expenditure excludes fares for travel to and from the UK. (2) Government Office Region. (3) Figures are based on small sample sizes and as such should be treated with extreme caution, and used solely as an indicative estimate.  Source:  International Passenger Survey (ONS).

Tourism: Historic Buildings

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps the Government has taken to encourage the public to visit historic buildings since 1997.

Gerry Sutcliffe: This Department and its sponsored bodies have been working with other historic environment organisations, including the National Trust, the Historic Houses Association and Civic Trust to encourage the public to visit historic buildings in the following ways:
	Heritage Open Daysover a million people now participate in this annual English Heritage funded scheme run by the Civic Trust. A record 3,500 properties across the country opened their doors for free as part of Heritage Open Days last September. In 2006, Heritage Open Days attracted more than 1 million visitors with support from an army of 30,000 volunteers, making Heritage Open Days England's largest voluntary cultural event. Evaluation shows that this free access event significantly increases access to the historic environment by people on lower incomes.
	Festival of Historythis is the UK's biggest historical event, and is organised by English Heritage. It brings together the country's leading performers, interpreters and historians in a celebration of over 2,000 years of England's history. This annual event attracted over 20,000 people in 2007.
	Great British Heritage PassEnglish Heritage and VisitBritain are partners in this scheme which is marketed by VisitBritain to inbound visitors.
	Property Development ProgrammeEnglish Heritage manages over 400 properties that attract around 11 million visitors every year. 665,000 people have demonstrated their commitment to caring for these historic buildings by becoming members of English Heritage. Since 2005 English Heritage has invested approximately 21 million in improving visitor facilities at its properties and in creating new interpretation schemes. 5.3 million people visited English Heritage staffed properties in 2006-07.
	Free Accessin 2003 English Heritage introduced free access for children and young people under 19 with an accompanying adult who is a member. Members can take up to six children under 19 into its 400 properties without charge, and entry is free to all children under five.
	LearningEnglish Heritage hosted 481,000 free educational visits in 2006-07 and, in response to market demand, hosted facilitated visits, known as Discovery Visits, at 70 sites across the country. The scheme was marketed to every school in England and 10,400 children took part in the first year. Additionally, 418 events were staged at English Heritage sites designed to attract and entertain all sections of the community. English Heritage has also expanded its events programme, 'Tours Through Time', which is aimed at adult learners.
	Outreach workEnglish Heritage outreach programmes demonstrate the potential of the historic environment for supporting social inclusion, and projects are developed with communities and groups all around the country. In 2006-07, 85 outreach projects were held attracting nearly 49,500 people who had never participated before. English Heritage has also allocated 400,000 per annum in National Capacity Building Grants for the period 2006-08 for historic environment organisations to develop their ability to engage with under-represented groups.
	Televisionresearch has shown that television programmes play a strong role in attracting visitors to English Heritage sites. English Heritage experts have been involved in the Time Team programme for many years and continue to contribute to new programming as appropriate. In particular, English Heritage has partnered the BBC TV Restoration series with website links, point launch promotion, publishing collaborations and, where appropriate, English Heritage has grant-aided eligible properties featured in the series.
	Filmsince 1997 English Heritage has positioned its buildings as a first port of call for the film and television industry both across the world and within the UK. English Heritage's success has brought well publicised associations with feature films such as Mrs. Brown, Notting Hill, and Elizabeth: The Golden Years. It has been proven that working proactively with this industry cannot only bring more visitors through the doors but also allows a large audience to become more familiar with the properties overall.
	Access Conditions for English Heritage Grantsin most cases English Heritage grants are offered on condition that a guaranteed level of public access is provided for a minimum of 10 years after the grant-aided work has been completed.
	English Heritage commissioned research in 2003 which indicated that 29 per cent. of people from ethnic minorities had visited a historic building or garden in the last 12 months compared to the national average of 40 per cent. We have set a target for heritage organisations to increase the number of adults and young people aged 16 and above from priority groups visiting designated historic environment sites by 3 per cent. by 2008. We expect to report on whether this has been achieved in December 2008.

Tourist Attractions: Essex

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what the 10 most popular tourist attractions in Essex were in each of the last three years.

Margaret Hodge: The information requested is contained in the table.
	
		
			  Top 10 tourist attractions in Essex( 1) 
			   2004  2005  2006 
			 1 Weald Country Park Weald Country Park River Lee Country Park 
			 2 Colchester Zoo Colchester Zoo Weald Country Park 
			 3 Hadleigh Castle Country Park Hadleigh Castle Country Park Heritage Centre (Castle Point) 
			 4 Marsh Farm Country Park High Woods Country Park Colchester Zoo 
			 5 High Woods Country Park Cudmore Grove Country Park Hadleigh Castle Country Park 
			 6 Audley End House RHS Garden, Hyde Hall RHS Garden, Hyde Hall 
			 7 Dedham Art and Craft Centre Chelmsford Cathedral Tiptree Museum 
			 8 Chelmsford Museum Dedham Art and Craft Centre First Site 
			 9 Audley End Miniature Railway Audley End House Dedham Art and Craft Centre 
			 10 Bridge End Gardens Langdon Nature Reserve Barleylands Farm Museum 
			 (1) Participation within the Visitor Attraction survey is voluntary and so there may be attractions that choose not to participate or to remain anonymous.  Source: Visitor Attraction Trends survey, England (Visit Britain)

Tourist Attractions: Greater London

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what the 10 most popular tourist attractions in the  (a) City of London and  (b) rest of London were in each of the last three years for which figures are available.

Margaret Hodge: The information requested is contained in the following tables.
	
		
			  Top 10 tourist attractions( 1)  to the City of London( 2) 
			   2004  2005  2006 
			 1 St. Paul's Cathedral St. Paul's Cathedral St. Paul's Cathedral 
			 2 Museum of London Museum of London Museum of London 
			 3 Barbican Art Gallery Guildhall Art Gallery National Museum of Cartoon Art 
			 4 Guildhall Art Gallery Church of St. Mary Aldermary Church of St. Mary Aldermary 
			 5 Church of St. Mary Aldermary St. Martin-within- Ludgate St. Martin-within- Ludgate 
			 6 St. Martin-within- Ludgate Mansion House College of Arms 
			 7 Mansion House College of Arms St. Katharine Cree Church 
			 8 College of Arms   
			 (1) Participation within the Visitor Attraction survey is voluntary and so there may be attractions that choose not to participate or to remain anonymous. (2) There have been less than 10 respondents in each of the last three years from the City of London.  Source: Visitor Attraction Trends survey, England (Visit Britain) 
		
	
	
		
			  Top 10 tourist attractions to London (excluding City of London)( 1) 
			   2004  2005  2006 
			 1 National Gallery British Museum Tate Modern 
			 2 British Museum National Gallery British Museum 
			 3 Tate Modern Tate Modern National Gallery 
			 4 British Airways London Eye British Airways London Eye Natural History Museum 
			 5 Natural History Museum Natural History Museum Science Museum 
			 6 Science Museum Science Museum Victoria and Albert Museum 
			 7 Tower of London Tower of London Tower of London 
			 8 Victoria and Albert Museum Victoria and Albert Museum National Portrait Gallery 
			 9 National Portrait Gallery Tate Britain Tate Britain 
			 10 Kew Gardens National Portrait Gallery British Library Exhibition Galleries 
			 (1) Participation within the Visitor Attraction survey is voluntary and so there may be attractions that choose not to participate or to remain anonymous.  Source: Visitor Attraction Trends survey, England (Visit Britain)

Tribunals, Courts and Enforcement Act 2007

Mark Fisher: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans he has to make regulations under powers granted him by section 134 (9) of the Tribunals, Courts and Enforcement Act 2007.

Margaret Hodge: I am currently considering the responses to the public consultation on the content of the Regulations, which closed on 21 December. The regulations will be laid before Parliament once we have concluded our consideration and discussed the outcome with the devolved Administrations.

Video Games: Violence

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what research his Department has conducted on the effects on behaviour of depictions of  (a) knife use and  (b) other violence in computer games.

Gerry Sutcliffe: In 2005 we published a review of research on the impact of violent computer games on young people. The review examined the academic literature relating to violent video games and violent behaviour. It is available on our website at:
	http://www.culture.gov.uk/NR/rdonlyres/3093C6FE-5932-41D5-B901-2BAF02810AC9/0/research_vcg.pdf
	copies were placed in the Library on 28 February 2005. 18 pieces of research were key in this review, but the reviewers also took into account a further total of 69 pieces of work. It ensured that all the key studies examining the relationship between playing violent computer games and real-world violence in young people between 1985 and 2004 were covered.
	None of the research specifically considers the depiction of knives; it does not differentiate between that and other types of violence.

VisitBritain

Jeremy Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much  (a) VisitBritain and  (b) VisitEngland spent on advertising overseas in each financial year since they were established.

Margaret Hodge: The advertising, promotion, and marketing of both Britain and England in overseas and domestic markets is the responsibility of VisitBritain. In the marketing of England, VisitBritain is advised by VisitEngland (which was known as the England Marketing Advisory Board until October 2007). There was no overseas advertising or other marketing spending on England until 2005-06, other than as part of VisitBritain's wider marketing of Britain. In March 2005, the specific marketing of England in a number of established European markets was agreed between DCMS, VisitBritain, and the Devolved Administrations.
	VisitBritain's spending on direct marketing costs (not including staff and other marketing expenditure), has been as follows since its establishment:
	
		
			   million 
			   Britain International  England International 
			 2003-04 16.93  
			 2004-05 16.90  
			 2005-06 16.84 2.01 
			 2006-07 17.24 2.04

VisitBritain

Jeremy Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much of VisitBritain's grant-in-aid has been allocated to promoting  (a) Britain and  (b) England overseas in each of the next three years.

Margaret Hodge: VisitBritain presently spends 35.5 million a year on the overseas marketing of Britain, and 14.4 million a year on the marketing of England at home and overseas.
	The split of VisitBritain's allocated funding for future years is a matter which is currently being considered as part of the Strategic Review of tourism led by VisitBritain. I have ensured that the devolved Administrations have the opportunity to fully participate in that process, and in the review's wider work of improving the impact of the 350 million a year which the public sector invests in supporting tourism.

WiFi

Fraser Kemp: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps the Government have taken to provide wi-fi access to the general public in public buildings; what steps are planned up to 2010; and if he will make a statement.

Malcolm Wicks: I have been asked to reply.
	There is no Government policy on provision of wireless access to the public in public buildings and there are no steps planned between now and 2010 to provide wireless access to the general public in public buildings. However, some public authorities make wireless access available to the public in their buildings, for example, 23 per cent. of library services currently deliver wireless access, with 42 per cent. actively planning to offer wireless access in future. Most of these services are providing wireless access free of charge to the end user. This is a matter for public authorities individually.

Youth Sport Trust: Finance

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much funding the Youth Sports Trust has received from his Department in each of the last three years; and whether such funding has been targeted to particular programmes.

Gerry Sutcliffe: The Youth Sport Trust (YST) is an important partner in the delivery of sport for children and young people and as such receives funding direct from Sport England.
	Sport England advise that YST has been awarded the following amounts for particular programmes in each of the last three years:
	
		
			   
			  Name:  2005 - 06  2006 - 07  2007 - 08 
			 Step into Sport 2,044,500 1,972,178 1,972,168 
			 Club Links 490,000 524,750 489,750 
			 Respect Athlete Mentoring Project n/a 63,500 242,500 
		
	
	In 2006-07 Sport England also allocated 15,000 to the YST to support the National Competition Framework and 23,000 to support the running of the School Sport Partnerships Conference.
	Sport England has also funded the National Council for School Sport which is a separate entity from the YST.

TREASURY

Average Earnings

Matthew Taylor: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the average wage has been in  (a) Cornwall,  (b) the South West and  (c) England for each year since 1979.

Angela Eagle: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.
	 Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated 18 February 2008:
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking what the average wage has been in (a) Cornwall, (b) the South West and (c) England for each year since 1979. (186627)
	Since 1997, levels of earnings are estimated from the Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE), and are provided for all full time employees on adult rates of pay whose pay for the survey period was not affected by absence. Prior to 1997, levels of earnings are estimated from the New Earnings Survey (NES) and are provided for all full time employees either on adult rates of pay, or for years prior to 1984, aged 21 and over (male) or 18 and over (female), whose pay for the survey period was not affected by absence.
	I attach a table showing Gross Weekly Pay for Cornwall, the South West and England, for all full-time employees, for the years 1979-2007.
	The ASHE, carried out in April each year, is the most comprehensive source of earnings information in the United Kingdom.
	
		
			  Gross weekly pay for all full time employee( 1)  jobs 
			  Mean () 
			   Cornwall  South West  England 
			 1979 72.6 82.9 89.9 
			 1980 88.9 103.6 110.7 
			 1981 106.3 118.6 108.8 
			 1982 114.8 127.6 137.1 
			 1983 125.3 139.6 149.0 
			 1984 135.0 149.1 160.2 
			 1985 143.8 160.6 172.0 
			 1986 152.6 172.8 186.3 
			 1987 161.1 185.7 200.8 
			 1988 172.8 202.8 220.9 
			 1989 196.3 225.0 242.8 
			 1990 214.1 246.7 266.7 
			 1991 219.9 265.6 288.3 
			 1992 239.4 283.1 308.1 
			 1993 252.3 298.4 320.8 
			 1994 265.1 308.7 330.1 
			 1995 266.1 313.8 340.6 
			 1996 271.2 326.5 356.2 
			 1997 289.0 349.4 378.9 
			 1998 298.4 361.4 399.7 
			 1999 301.0 371.6 412.6 
			 2000 318.2 385.0 433.3 
			 2001 337.3 413.4 459.2 
			 2002 349.0 429.2 482.0 
			 2003 391.5 449.3 497.2 
			 2004(2) 395.1 464.3 516.7 
			 2004(3) 390.5 457.6 508.0 
			 2005 402.6 471.8 525.5 
			 2006(4) 414.6 491.1 546.6 
			 2006(5) 414.4 488.6 544.3 
			 2007 429.6 506.2 560.2 
			 (1) Employees on adult rates whose pay for the survey pay-period was not affected by absence. (2) 2004 results excluding supplementary survey for comparison with 2003. (3) 2004 results including supplementary surveys designed to improve coverage of the survey (for more information see National Statistics website www.statistics.gov.uk). (4) 2006 results consistent with 2005 methodology. (5 )2006 results consistent with 2007 methodology.  Sources: New Earnings Survey, Office for National Statistics. 1979-96 Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings, Office for National Statistics. 1997-2007

Bank Notes: Scotland

Alistair Carmichael: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  what the results of the consultation on banknote issue arrangements in Scotland and Northern Ireland were; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  what recent discussions he has had with Scottish banks regarding the issuing of Scottish banknotes;
	(3)  when he last met representatives of the Scottish banking industry; and if he will make a statement;
	(4)  when he last met  (a) representative bodies from (i) Scotland and (ii) Northern Ireland note-issuing banks and  (b) the Bank of England to discuss the consultation on banknote issue arrangements in Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Angela Eagle: Treasury Ministers and officials have meetings with a wide variety of organisations in the public and private sectors as part of the process of policy development and delivery. As was the case with previous Administrations, it is not the Government's practice to provide details of all such meetings.
	As part of the consultation document on financial stability and depositor protection released last week, the Government reaffirmed their intentions to legislate to strengthen the arrangements underpinning banknote issuance by commercial banks in Scotland and Northern Ireland. It also plans to bring the law in Scotland relating to the treatment of cheques into line with that in the rest of the United Kingdom. The Government intend to take forward these proposals within the legislation on banking reform provided it remains appropriate in light of the consultation launched last week.

Child Benefit

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  how many child benefit payments have been backdated by more than three months from the date of the initial application in each of the last three years;
	(2)  how many child benefit claims were made  (a) within and  (b) after more than three months of a child's birth in the last 12 months.

Jane Kennedy: HMRC do not backdate a child benefit award for more than three months from the date the claim is initially received.
	The other information requested is not available.

Child Benefit: Bexley

David Evennett: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the number of children living in each European country for whom UK child benefit was received by a parent resident in the London Borough of Bexley in the most recent period for which figures are available.

Jane Kennedy: The information requested could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Child Benefit: Personal Records

Mark Hoban: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether  (a) his Department and  (b) the Poynter Review has been able to conclude whether the two data discs missing from HM Revenue and Customs were posted.

Jane Kennedy: As my right hon. Friend the Chancellor outlined in his statement of 17 December on publication of Kieran Poynter's interim report, 17 December 2007,  Official Report, column 612W, the Poynter Review remains ongoing and the final report is expected during the first half of 2008.

Child Tax Credit

John Hemming: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many payments of child tax credit have been made since their introduction; and how many have involved overpayment because of a failure by HM Revenue and Customs to record the return of an annual declaration.

Jane Kennedy: Information on the numbers of families benefiting from tax credits, and payments of entitlement, are available in table 1.1 of the HMRC publication Child and Working Tax Credits. Finalised Annual Awards. 2005-06, for the years 2003-04, 2004-05 and 2005-06. This publication is available on the HMRC website at:
	http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/stats/personal-tax-credits/cwtc-quarterly-stats.htm
	Information on the numbers of families benefiting from tax credits is not produced separately for child tax credit and working tax credit.
	There should be no overpayments arising because of a failure by HMRC to record the return of an annual declaration. If this happens the award is restored.

Coinage

Philip Davies: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the cost of introducing the new design of the 50 pence piece coin.

Angela Eagle: The estimated cost of the new 50p coin design is approximately 15,000 which includes, under the terms of the public competition, a 5,000 fee to the artist that submitted the final design.

Crown Estate Commissioners

Alistair Carmichael: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  how much the Crown Estate spent on its communications department in each of the last five years;
	(2)  how much the Crown Estate spent on hospitality in each of the last five years;
	(3)  what the cost of producing the Crown Estate's annual reports was in each of the last five years.

Angela Eagle: The information requested is given in the table.
	
		
			  000 
			   2002-03  2003-04  2004-05  2005-06  2006-07 
			   
			 Communication Department (staff costs)(1) 133 138 131 235 272 
			 Hospitality 6 10 10 6 5 
			 Annual Reports (including Corporate Responsibility Report, since 2003-04)(2) 90 126 131 132 132 
			 (1) Figures given are for the staff costs of the Crown Estate's Communication Department. (2) In 2003-04, the Crown Estate's first Corporate Responsibility Report was published, and the costs given in the aforementioned answer for 2003-04, 2004-05, 2005-06 and 2006-07 include costs for both the Annual Report and the Corporate Responsibility Report.

Crown Estate Commissioners: Finance

Alistair Carmichael: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much income the Crown Estate received from rents paid for  (a) marinas and  (b) piers in each of the last five years.

Angela Eagle: The information available is given in the table.
	
		
			   million 
			   2004-05  2005-06  2006-07 
			 Marinas 1.6 1.6 1.7 
			 Piers 4.1 4.0 4.2

Crown Estate Commissioners: Public Relations

Alistair Carmichael: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many external contracts the Crown Estate had with public relations companies in each of the last 10 years; and what the cost of those contracts was.

Angela Eagle: The information requested is given in the table:
	
		
			   Number of contracts  Total amount (000) 
			 1997-98 3 83 
			 1998-99 3 113 
			 1999-2000 4 126 
			 2000-01 5 134 
			 2001-02 5 187 
			 2002-03 5 287 
			 2003-04 7 704 
			 2004-05 7 938 
			 2005-06 10 629 
			 2006-07 10 713

Crown Estate Commissioners: Research

Alistair Carmichael: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the value was of applications made to the Crown Estate's research committee for research proposals in each of the last five years; how many applications were made in each year; what the value of research funding allocated was; and how many applications were successful in each year.

Angela Eagle: The Crown Estate does not have a research committee and it does not invite open applications for research, rather areas of research are decided by The Crown Estate through discussions with industry.
	
		
			   2002-03  2003-04  2004-05  2005-06  2006-07 
			 Scottish Aquaculture Research Fund 0 100 100 100 100 
			 Acquaculture Research Fund 237 119 100 96 100 
			 Offshore Research Fund 70 107 97 120 199

Debts

Danny Alexander: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the value of unsecured debt owed by individuals in the UK in each year since 1990, broken down by income decile of debtors.

Angela Eagle: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.
	 Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated 18 February 2008:
	As National Statistician I have been asked to reply to your question on what estimate has been made of the value of unsecured debt owed by individuals in the UK in each year since 1990, broken down by income decile of debtors. (184505)
	The ONS do not publish explicitly data on unsecured debt of individuals and it has been assumed that this is the equivalent to consumer credit.
	Data on consumer credit are published in Table 3.2B of Financial Statistics. Table A below shows total consumer credit split by credit cards or other and Table B shows total consumer credit split by type of lender.
	These data are not available by income decile of debtors.
	
		
			  Table A: total consumer credit split by type of lending 
			   million 
			   Credit cards  Other  Total consumer credit 
			 1990 9,012 44,459 53,471 
			 1991 9,786 44,630 54,416 
			 1992 10,076 43,410 53,486 
			 1993 10,658 43,287 53,945 
			 1994 11,914 47,173 59,087 
			 1995 13,836 55,991 69,827 
			 1996 16,161 63,722 79,883 
			 1997 18,997 72,199 91,195 
			 1998 23,252 83,089 106,341 
			 1999 33,117 88,430 121,547 
			 2000 38,702 96,465 135,168 
			 2001 42,802 108,000 150,802 
			 2002 48,248 120,961 169,209 
			 2003 48,638 132,011 180,649 
			 2004 56,057 142,800 198,856 
			 2005 59,036 152,002 211,037 
			 2006 55,797 156,989 212,785 
			 2007 56,093 168,342 224,435 
			  Source s: National Statistics and Bank of England 
		
	
	
		
			  Table B: total consumer credit split by type of lender 
			   million 
			   Banks  Building societies  Other consumer credit lenders  Total consumer credit 
			 1990 43,316 764 9,931 53,471 
			 1991 44,121 719 9,576 54,416 
			 1992 43,578 759 9,149 53,486 
			 1993 41,768 776 11,400 53,945 
			 1994 44,821 1,109 13,157 59,087 
			 1995 49,845 1,235 18,747 69,827 
			 1996 55,609 1,463 22,811 79,883 
			 1997 64,841 212 26,142 91,195 
			 1998 73,308 294 32,738 106,341 
			 1999 82,980 296 38,271 121,547 
			 2000 94,656 391 40,121 135,168 
			 2001 108,134 435 42,232 150,802 
			 2002 121,434 606 47,169 169,209 
			 2003 123,198 762 56,690 180,649 
			 2004 137,617 904 60,336 198,856 
			 2005 142,142 1,110 67,785 211,037 
			 2006 141,965 1,258 69,563 212,785 
			 2007 143,585 1,428 79,422 224,435 
			  Sources: National Statistics and Bank of England

Departmental Data Protection

John Spellar: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps were taken to  (a) prevent similar losses and  (b) examine data protection procedures in (i) HM Revenue and Customs and (ii) other parts of HM Treasury following the loss of the disc containing data for Standard Life customers in transit between HM Revenue and Customs in Newcastle and Standard Life in Edinburgh; and if he will make a statement.

Jane Kennedy: HMRC was already undertaking an internal review of data handling and security at the time of the Standard Life incident.
	Following the Standard Life incident, HMRC introduced tightened data security measures and controls in time for the next monthly transfer of payment information.
	HMRC has also introduced new procedures designed to ensure that all data transfers require the personal approval of a director or their delegated data guardian.
	Following the loss of child benefit data the Chancellor also asked Kieran Poynter to undertake an independent review of HMRC's data handling.
	In his interim report, published on 17 December, Kieran Poynter noted that HMRC had already put in place a number of measures to tighten its data handling. This report is available in the Library of the House. He is expected to consider the need for any further procedural changes in his final report which is due in the first half of 2008.
	HMT are playing a full part in the Cabinet Office data handling exercise. A data handling workstream has been set up to manage the exercise and the risks associated with information handling. On 18 December the HMT permanent secretary e-mailed all staff reminding them of their responsibilities. This covered all aspects of security.

Departmental Data Protection

Mark Hoban: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the answer of 16 January 2008,  Official Report, column 1341W, on departmental data protection, whether the investigation related to the two child benefit discs missing from HM Revenue and Customs.

Jane Kennedy: The investigation referred to in the answer of 16 January 2008,  Official Report, column 1341W, related to the two child benefit discs missing from HM Customs and Revenue.

Departmental Databases

Mark Hoban: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what databases are  (a) owned and  (b) maintained by (i) his Department and (ii) its agencies.

Angela Eagle: The Treasury and its agencies own and maintain a wide variety of databases to support their work.

Departmental ICT

Mark Hoban: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many of his Department's personal digital assistants were  (a) lost and  (b) stolen in each of the last five years; and what the value of those items was.

Angela Eagle: The numbers of Treasury PDAs reported as lost or stolen are presented as follows:
	
		
			   Number lost  Number stolen  Estimated value () 
			 2003  2 800 
			 2004  1 200 
			 2005  1 200 
			 2006 1  200 
			 2007 1 1 400

Departmental Ministerial Policy Advisers

Charles Walker: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the special advisers employed in his Department since 6 May 1997; and what the  (a) start and  (b) end date of employment was in each case.

Angela Eagle: Since 2003, the Government have published on an annual basis the names and numbers of special advisers in each pay band. For the most recent information I refer the hon. Member to the statement made by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 22 November 2007,  Official Report, columns 147-50WS.
	Information on the employment of special advisers prior to 2003 was provided at regular intervals and is available in the Library of the House.

Departmental Publications

John Randall: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what public information booklets were published by his Department in 2007; and what the  (a) print run and  (b) cost to the Department was in each case.

Angela Eagle: The Chancellor of the Exchequer's Department has published five public information booklets in 2007. These were:
	
		
			  Publication  Print run  Cost () 
			 Euro preparations leaflet 1,117 266 
			 Budget 2007 summary leaflet 1,000,000 106,247 
			 Budget 2007 regional summary leaflets 9,150 4310 
			 Pre-Budget Report and Comprehensive Spending Review 2007 summary leaflet 1,000,000 101,910 
			 Pre-Budget and Comprehensive Spending Review 2007 regional summary leaflet 9,000 3,182

Departmental Training

Mark Hoban: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the answer of 12 December 2007,  Official Report, column 615W, on departmental training, how many Treasury away days were undertaken in each of the last five years.

Angela Eagle: No central records are held on Treasury teams' away days and the information could be obtained only at a disproportionate cost. In common with other organisations in the public and private sectors the Treasury uses away days for work-planning, training and staff development purposes.

Employment

Chris Grayling: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the employment rate was for  (a) lone parents,  (b) the disabled and  (c) the over 50s in each year since 1997, broken down by constituency.

Angela Eagle: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.
	 Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated 18 February 2008:
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking what the employment rate was for (a) lone parents, (b) the disabled and (c) the over 50s in each year since 1997, broken down by constituency. (185941).
	Information in the form requested is not readily available and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

European Commission: Offices

Nigel Evans: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the UK financial contribution was towards maintaining, staffing and operating the representative offices of the European Commission in  (a) EU capitals,  (b) non-EU capitals and  (c) other locations in each of the last 10 years.

Angela Eagle: The UK makes its contributions to the EC Budget as a whole and not to individual spending programmes within it. There is therefore no specific UK contribution to the areas of expenditure referred to.

Excise Duties: Fuels

Jeremy Hunt: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  how much revenue the Exchequer accrued from sales of  (a) diesel and  (b) petrol on garage forecourts in the last 12 months;
	(2)  what the excise duty rate was on  (a) diesel and  (b) petrol fuel in each of the last five years.

Angela Eagle: Historic and monthly excise duty receipts from diesel and petrol can be found in table 3 of the HM Revenue and Customs Hydrocarbon Oils Bulletin, a copy of which can be found at:
	http://www.uktradeinfo.co.uk/index.cfm?task=bulloil
	Published figures on receipts are on the basis of excise duty charged on quantities of oil released for consumption rather than on forecourt sales.

Finance: Afghanistan

Mark Pritchard: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will take steps to monitor financial transactions between Afghan individuals in the United Kingdom and  (a) Afghanistan and  (b) Dubai.

Angela Eagle: The Money Laundering Regulations 2007 require relevant persons (including banks and money service bureaus) to identify and verify the identity of their customers and to monitor their transactions.
	Any suspicious transactions, including suspicious transactions with Afghanistan and Dubai should be reported through the appropriate channels to the Serious Organised Crime Agency.
	The ED Wire Transfer Regulations impose similar obligations in respect of electronic transfers of funds.

Financial Services: Disadvantaged

Jim Dobbin: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to ensure that financial advice is made available to those who are financially excluded.

Angela Eagle: The Government recognise the importance of readily available, specialist money advice to ensure that financially excluded people have access to the help and support they need to deal with financial distress, should it arise. The Government have established a 47.5 million money advice project in the current spending period, administered by BERR, to increase the availability of free face-to-face money advice in areas of high financial exclusion.
	The Government's recent action plan for financial inclusion announces that the Government will continue to support BERR's face-to-face money advice initiative with funding of 76 million in 2008-11.
	In addition, the Government have asked Otto Thoresen to report on the feasibility of a national approach to the delivery of generic financial advice. Generic Advice is basic financial guidance, tailored to the individual's own circumstances. It will be of particular benefit to those most vulnerable to the consequences of poor financial decisionsincluding the financially excluded and people on low incomes. The Thoresen review is due to report shortly.

Fossil Fuel Levy: Scotland

Adam Ingram: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many meetings have taken place between his Department and the Scottish Executive to discuss the transfer of the Fossil Fuel Levy to the Consolidated Fund; and when those meetings took place.

Angela Eagle: Treasury Ministers and officials have meetings with a wide variety of organisations in the public and private sectors as part of the process of policy development and delivery. As was the case with previous Administrations, it is not the Government's practice to provide details of all such meetings.

Frontiers: Security

Damian Green: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much Her Majesty's Customs and Revenue and its predecessors spent on border security and enforcement in each of the last three financial years.

Jane Kennedy: HM Revenue and Customs undertakes a range of activities at the border, including security and enforcement, regulatory, fiscal and trade facilitation. Resources are deployed according to risk and officers are trained to, and may discharge any or all of these functions. Security and, enforcement is an intrinsic part of HMRC's frontier work. No assessment has been made of the spend on purely security activity and it is not possible, or sensible in terms of proving meaningful information, to extract these costs.

Fuels: Prices

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps the Government has taken to ensure the competitiveness of the British haulage industry in respect of fuel prices.

Angela Eagle: Policies have been put in place to support the road haulage industry including a freeze of lorry vehicle excise duty since 2001, the extension of the Reduced Pollution Certificate scheme and the forthcoming graduated fixed penalty and deposit scheme.
	Budget 2007 also announced the tripling of spending on enforcement through targeted checks and the recent pre-Budget report announced a further 2 million. We also look forward to receiving the conclusions from the Freight Data Feasibility Study, an outcome of the Haulage Industry Task Group.
	The Government set out their policy on fuel duty in the last Budget based on the UK seeking to reduce polluting emissions and fund public services. By 2010 main fuel duty rates will still remain 11 per cent. lower in real terms than they were in 1999.

Graduates: Unemployed

David Willetts: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Ribble Valley of 4 February 2008,  Official Report, column 860W, 
	(1)  if he will provide comparable figures for the number of unemployed university graduates for each year from 1997 to 2002;
	(2)  if he will provide comparable figures for the number of unemployed people aged 16 years and over in each year from 1997 to 2002.

Angela Eagle: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.
	 Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated 18 February 2008:
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Questions on the number of unemployed university graduates for each year from 1997 to 2002 and the number of unemployed people aged 16 and over in each year from 1997 to 2002. (186044) and (186005)
	The attached table gives unemployment figures for graduates and all people aged 16+ for the three month period ending June each year, from 1997 to 2002. Comparable estimates from 1998 and 2000 are not available.
	The LFS estimates at this detailed level are only consistent with the UK population estimates published in February and March 2003 and they do not incorporate the more recent population estimates that are used in the headline LFS series.
	As with any sample survey, estimates from the LFS are subject to a margin of uncertainty.
	
		
			  Unemployed( 1)  population aged 16 plusthree months ending June each year, 1997-2002 United Kingdom, not seasonally adjusted 
			  Thousand 
			   Total  Graduates( 2) 
			 1997 2,013 137 
			 1999 1,695 128 
			 2001 1,408 115 
			 2002 1,456 145 
			 (1) According to the ILO (International Labour Organisation) definition of unemployed, i.e. those who are without a job, are available to start work in the next two weeks, who want a job and have been seeking a job in the last four weeks or are waiting to start a job already obtained. (2) Those who hold qualifications to degree level or higher.  Notes: 1. It should be noted that the estimates: are grossed to population estimates consistent with those published in spring 2003 which are significantly lower than the latest population estimates as used in the Labour Market Statistics. 2. Comparable data not available for 1998 and 2000.  Source: ONS Labour Force Survey (LFS)

Households

Chris Grayling: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the number of households of  (a) married couples,  (b) cohabiting couples and  (c) lone parents with dependent children in each year since 1990.

Angela Eagle: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.
	 Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated 18 February 2008:
	As National Statistician I have been asked to reply to your request to asking what estimate has been made of the number of households with dependent children broken down by  (a) married couples, (b) cohabiting couples and  (c) lone parents in each year since 1990. (185882)
	The question asks for the number of households broken down by family type. However, the number of households would not show the total number of married and cohabiting couples and lone parents with dependent children. This is because some households contain more than one family. Therefore, this answer shows the number of families, not the number of households. The number of families with dependent children in the UK can be estimated using the Labour Force Survey (LFS). According to the LFS, 0.8 per cent. of households in 2007 were occupied by more than one family.
	Table 1 shows the latest UK family estimates for available years. Comparable estimates are not currently available for 1998 and 2000 or prior to 1997. Work is underway to make comparable LFS data available from 1992 onwards. It is hoped that this work will be completed by the end of 2008.
	
		
			  Table 1: Number of UK families wit h  dependent children by type 
			  Thousand 
			  Family type  1997  1998  1999  2000  2001  2002  2003  2004  2005  2006  2007 
			 Married couples 5,105  4,914  4,799 4,742 4,703 4,633 4,653 4,585 4,557 
			 Cohabiting couples 589  713  799 800 806 866 870 913 919 
			 Lone parents 1,611  1,746  1,760 1,825 1,817 1,869 1,884 1,864 1,860 
			  Source: LFS quarterly data, April to June, not seasonally adjusted.

Immigrants: Age

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the average age was of immigrants to the UK in 2007.

Angela Eagle: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.
	 Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated 18 February 2008:
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent question concerning the average age of immigrants to the UK. (186905)
	In 2006, the latest full year for which data are available, the average age of those migrating to the UK was twenty-eight years.

Immigration

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer from which 10 countries the greatest number of migrants entered the UK in 2007.

Angela Eagle: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.
	 Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated 18 February 2008:
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent question asking from which 10 countries the greatest number of migrants entered the UK in 2007. (186932)
	International migration data for the 2007 calendar year are scheduled for release in November 2008. The International Passenger Survey, the main source of international migration estimates, shows that of those migrating to the UK in 2006, the top ten countries of last residence were:
	Poland, India, Australia, Pakistan, China, France, United States, Germany, South Africa, and Spain.

Itis Holdings

Bob Neill: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what payments his Department and its agencies has made to Itis Holdings in the last 36 months.

Jane Kennedy: Neither the Treasury or any of its agencies have made any payments to Itis Holdings in the past three years.

Landfill Tax

Sarah Teather: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much was raised by landfill tax between January 2005 and December 2007; how much he expects to raise from landfill tax in 2008; and how the money is being used.

Angela Eagle: Latest landfill tax receipts are published by HM Revenue and Customs at:
	http://www.uktradeinfo.com/index.cfm?task=bulllandfill
	Forecast landfill tax receipts for 2007-08 and 2008-09 are published in Table B8 of the 2007 pre-Budget report and Comprehensive Spending Review available at:
	http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/media/F/9/pbr_csr07_annexb_305.pdf
	Landfill tax was introduced alongside a 0.2 percentage point reduction in the main rate of employers national insurance contributions.
	Budget 2007 announced that the additional tax revenue from business as a result of the increase in the landfill tax escalator will be recycled to business through reductions in corporation tax announced in the Budget.

Landfill Tax: Greater London

David Evennett: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much each local authority in London paid in landfill tax in each of the last five years.

Angela Eagle: It is not possible using landfill tax receipts data to determine how much revenue is received from local authorities. This is because registered landfill site operators pay the tax to HM Revenue and Customs and pass on the cost to their customers through the disposal charges they set. The origin of the landfilled waste is not recorded on the tax return.

Members: Correspondence

Brian H Donohoe: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he expects to reply to the letter from the hon. Member for Central Ayrshire, dated 22 November 2007, on Northern Rock.

Angela Eagle: I have already done so.

Members: Correspondence

Brian H Donohoe: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he expects to reply to the letter from the hon. Member for Central Ayrshire, dated 19 November 2007, on capital gains tax.

Jane Kennedy: I replied to the hon. Member on 17 February 2008.

Members: Correspondence

Ben Wallace: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when HM Revenue and Customs will respond to the letters of  (a) 18 October 2007 and  (b) 22 January 2008 from the hon. Member for Lancaster and Wyre on a constituent, Mr. Stefan Fish.

Jane Kennedy: HM Revenue and Customs replied to the hon. Gentleman on 11 February 2008 and very much regret the delay in doing so.

Migrant Workers

Frank Field: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the answer of 4 February 2008,  Official Report, columns 834-36W, on migrant workers, what the change has been in the number of the UK born population in employment in each industry sector since 1997.

Angela Eagle: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.
	 Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated 18 February 2008:
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question about the UK born population in employment in each industry since 1997. (185665)
	The attached table gives the number of working age UK born workers in each industry sector for each year since 1997. It also gives the change in the number of UK born workers in each industry sector, between the second quarter of 1997 and the second quarter of 2007. Comparable estimates are not available for 1998 and 2000.
	As with any sample survey, estimates from the LFS are subject to a margin of uncertainty.
	
		
			  Working age( 1)  UK born population, in employment by industry sector( 2) Three months ending June each year, 1997-2007 United Kingdom, not seasonally adjusted 
			  Thousand 
			   1997  1999  2001  2002  2003  2004  2005  2006  2007  Change 1997-2007 
			 Agriculture, forestry and fishing 433 376 345 334 309 321 327 315 318 -116 
			 Energy and water 268 264 292 303 260 256 257 255 303 35 
			 Manufacturing 4,513 4,370 4,059 3,908 3,720 3,401 3,334 3,223 3,130 -1,382 
			 Construction 1,711 1,746 1,858 1,841 1,956 2,007 2,054 2,059 2,074 364 
			 Distribution hotels and restaurants 4,705 4,703 4,654 4,704 4,765 4,792 4,679 4,495 4,420 -285 
			 Transport and communication 1,534 1,603 1,732 1,727 1,698 1,645 1,680 1,618 1,601 67 
			 Finance and Business Services 3,344 3,590 3,766 3,814 3,675 3,710 3,735 3,743 3,791 448 
			 Education, health and public administration 5,743 5,964 6,291 6,353 6,568 6,820 6,900 6,954 6,759 1,016 
			 Other services 1,314 1,378 1,368 1,397 1,480 1,457 1,423 1,460 1,471 156 
			 Total(3) 23,638 24,056 24,431 24,426 24,473 24,471 24,444 24,177 23,948 310 
			 (1) Men aged 16-64 and women aged 16-59. (2) Industry breakdowns for Standard Industrial Classification 92 (SIC92). (3) Includes those who did not state their industry.  Note: 1. It should be noted that the estimates are grossed to population estimates consistent with those published in Spring 2003 which are significantly lower than the latest population estimates as used in the Labour Market Statistics. 2. Comparable data not available for 1998 and 2000.  Source: ONS Labour Force Survey (LFS).

Migrant Workers: EU Nationals

Peter Bone: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what percentage of job vacancies he estimates were filled by migrant workers from the European Union in the latest period for which figures are available.

Angela Eagle: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.
	 Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated 18 February 2008:
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question on the percentage of job vacancies filled by migrant workers from the European Union. (186550)
	Information is not available on the percentage of job vacancies filled by individuals whose country of birth was in the European Union (EU).

Migration

James Clappison: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  how many visitor switchers were taken into account for the purpose of calculating the balance of total international migration to and from the UK in each year since 1991;
	(2)  how many asylum seekers were taken into account for the purpose of calculating the balance of total international migration to and from the UK in the years 1997 to 2006 inclusive; and what proportion of net migration these figures represented in each of those years;
	(3)  what the level of inward migration from EU A8 countries for the purposes of total international migration statistics to the UK was in  (a) each year and  (b) each quarter since 1 January 2004.

Angela Eagle: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.
	 Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated 18 February 2008:
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your questions on Total International Migration related issues:
	how many visitor switchers were taken into account for the purpose of calculating the balance of total international migration to and from the UK in each year since 1991; (177391)
	how many asylum seekers were taken into account for the purpose of calculating the balance of total international migration to and from the UK in the years 1997 to 2006 inclusive; and what proportion of net migration these figures represented in each of those years; (177392)
	what the level of inward migration from EU A8 countries for the purpose of Total International Migration statistics to the UK was in (a) each year and (b) each quarter since 1 January 2004. (178332)
	Table 1, attached, gives the adjustments made to Total International Migration (TIM) to account for visitor switchers from 1991 to 2006. Visitor switchers are those that intended to come to (or leave) the UK for less than 12 months and then switched to being migrants by staying (or leaving) for more than twelve months; i.e. someone who came as a visitor but switched to a migrant.
	Table 2, attached, gives the asylum seeker adjustment made to Total International Migration (TIM) estimates of inflows, outflows, and net-migration from 1997 to 2006. It also gives the corresponding TIM estimates; and shows the asylum seeker adjustments as a percentage of these. As indicated in the table, we do not recommend using the figures on asylum seekers as a proportion of net migration as an indicator.
	The asylum seeker adjustments are based on Home Office data but differ from the asylum statistics published by the Home Office in a number of respects. In order to fit with the United Nations recommended definition of an international long-term migrant, which is used in calculating population estimates, the data only include cases where the asylum seeker remained in the UK for more than 12 months. These data will also exclude a number of asylum seekers that are accounted for already in International Passenger Survey (IPS) estimates of migrants. Finally the adjustments include both principal applicants and their dependants whereas HO figures generally exclude dependants.
	Estimates of annual inward migration from EU A8 countries for 2004 and 2005 are available in Table 2.2 of the International Migration 2005, Series MN no.32 which can be found on the National Statistics website at:
	http://www.statistics.gov.uk/StatBase/Product.asp?vlnk=507
	The 2006 Total International Migration (TIM) estimates of annual inward migration from EU A8 countries (i.e. by country of last residence) are not yet available but are due to be released in May 2008. All 2006 TIM estimates will be produced using revised methods, and these changes will also result in revisions for earlier years. Therefore the 2004 and 2005 estimates currently in the public domain are likely to change slightly. However, estimates of annual inward migration by EU A8 nationals (as opposed to country of last residence referred to above) are available for 2004-2006 and can be found in Table 1 (Citizenship UK) at the following link on the National Statistics website:
	http://www.statistics.gov.uk/statbase/Product.asp?vlnk=15053
	Quarterly estimates of inward migration are not available for country of last residence or nationality either on a TIM or IPS basis.
	Total International Migration data are the most comprehensive estimates of long-term international migration. They are produced by combining migration data from the IPS, Home Office data on asylum seekers, migration data between the UK and the Irish Republic and adjustments for (migrant and visitor) switchers, i.e. those whose initial length of stay intentions are not realised.
	
		
			  Table 1: International migration, visitor switcher( 1)  adjustment, time series 1991 to 2006( 2) , United Kingdom 
			  Thousand 
			   Inflow  Outflow  Net 
			 1991 28 18 10 
			 1992 28 27 1 
			 1993 31 23 8 
			 1994 31 22 9 
			 1995 25 18 7 
			 1996 25 17 8 
			 1997 23 18 5 
			 1998 28 16 12 
			 1999 29 21 8 
			 2000 40 19 20 
			 2001 36 26 10 
			 2002 45 22 23 
			 2003 44 21 23 
			 2004 43 16 27 
			 2005 51 15 36 
			 2006 50 16 35 
			  Notes: 1. A visitor switcher is defined as someone who enters or leaves the UK intending to stay in the destination country for less than a year but who actually stays for a year or longer. Thus inflow indicates the estimate of those who entered the UK as visitors, but who switched to being migrants and stayed a year or more. 2. Several different methods and data sources have been used between 1991 and 2006 to estimate the visitor switcher adjustment. For the years 1991 to 2000, the adjustment is based on visa extension data from the Home Office. For the years 2000 to 2003, the adjustment is based on fixed proportions applied to certain categories of visitors considered most likely to switch and become migrants. From 2004, the adjustment is based on specific questions asked in the International Passenger Survey (IPS) to identify former visitor switchers which is then applied to certain visitor categories. In all cases, the best available data has been used to produce these adjustments.  Source: Office for National Statistics. 
		
	
	
		
			  Table 2: International migration, asylum seeker adjustment( 1)  flows and as a percentage of Total International Migration (TIM), time series 1997 to 2006( 2) , United Kingdom 
			  Thousand 
			   Asylum seekers adjustment  TIM( 3)  Asylum seekers adjustment as percentage of TIM 
			   Inflow  Out- flow  Net  Inflow  Out- flow  Net  Inflow  Out- flow  Net( 4) 
			 1997 34 10 24 327 279 48 10 4 50 
			 1998 51 10 41 391 251 140 13 4 29 
			 1999 80 8 72 454 291 163 18 3 44 
			 2000 92 10 81 479 321 158 19 3 51 
			 2001 84 18 66 479 306 173 18 6 38 
			 2002 96 21 75 513 358 154 19 6 49 
			 2003 54 17 37 508 361 147 11 5 25 
			 2004 36 16 21 586 342 244 6 5 8 
			 2005 26 16 11 563 359 204 5 4 5 
			 2006 23 17 6 591 400 191 4 4 3 
			  Notes: 1. These figures are a statistical adjustment, not estimates of asylum seekers. Those migrants captured by the International Passenger Survey (IPS) stating the reason for visit as to seek asylum are excluded from these calculations to avoid double counting. 2. Several improvements have been made to the data sources and methods used in the estimation of the asylum seeker adjustment between 1997 and 2006. These figures are produced using the best available data and methods for each year. 3. Total International Migration (TIM) is the most comprehensive estimate of migration. It is based mainly on the IPS but also includes estimates of Irish flows supplied by the Irish Central Statistics Office, and adjustments for asylum seekers not captured in the IPS and for switchers (i.e. those whose migration intentions are not realised). 4. We recommend looking at the inflow and outflow proportions as the net proportion could be highly misleading. For example, should outflows of asylum seekers exceed inflows this would show as a negative percentage. If TIM net migration were zero, this would show as an infinite percentage.   Source: Office for National Statistics.

Mortgages: Repossession Orders

Bob Neill: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Ribble Valley of 17 December 2007,  Official Report, column 1126W, on mortgages: repossession orders, what assessment the Government have made of the reasons for the change in the number of mortgage possession orders from 2002 to 2006.

Angela Eagle: The Ministry of Justice publishes figures for the numbers of possession orders made by county courts. The Government's assessment of personal debt and its proposals for tackling problem debt can be found in the Government's annual reports on tackling over-indebtedness, available at:
	http://www.berr.gov.uk/consumers/consumer-finance/over-indebtedness/index.html

National Insurance

Mark Hoban: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the minimum age is at which an individual can be issued with a national insurance number.

Jane Kennedy: The minimum age at which an individual can be issued with a national insurance number (NINO) is 15 years nine months.

National Insurance Fund

Justine Greening: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  what the balance of the National Insurance Fund was in excess of the minimum balance required in relation to benefit spending in each of the last 10 years; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  what estimate was made by the Government Actuary of the minimum balance required in the National Insurance Fund in relation to benefit spending in each of the last 10 years; and if he will make a statement.

Jane Kennedy: holding answer 21 January 2008
	The information requested is shown in the following table in respect of the GB National Insurance Fund:
	
		
			   billion 
			   1996-97  1997-98  1998-99  1999-2000  2000-01  2001-02  2002-03  2003-04  2004-05  2005-06 
			 Balance on fund 7.7 9.6 12.3 14.4 19.3 23.6 26.5 27.1 29.1 34.3 
			 Minimum balance required 6.9 7.1 7.4 7.7 7.9 8.4 8.8 9.2 9.5 10.0 
			 Excess 0.8 2.5 4.9 6.7 11.4 15.2 17.7 17.9 19.6 24.3 
		
	
	When there is a surplus it is invested. NICs and associated social security benefits operate within the Government's fiscal rules designed to ensure sound public finances. Any surplus of NICs over social security benefits (the NI Fund surplus) in any one year is not therefore an extra resource available to spend.
	The minimum operating balance recommended by the Government Actuary is one sixth of annual benefit payments. Figures for the minimum balance shown in the table are based on actual benefit payments made in each year. Estimated levels of benefit payments are published annually by the Government Actuary's Department in reports on up-rating orders, copies of which are in the Library.

National Insurance Fund

Paul Flynn: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he expects to receive the next quinquennial review of the National Insurance Fund.

Jane Kennedy: There is no firm date for publication but the Acting Government Actuary has confirmed that the review should be published later this year.

National Insurance Fund

Paul Flynn: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what advice he has received from the Acting Government Actuary on the minimum recommended balance in the National Insurance Fund.

Jane Kennedy: The latest report by the Acting Government Actuary on the drafts of the Social Security Benefits Up-rating Order 2008 and the Social Security (Contributions) (Re-rating) Order 2008 (Cm 7312) was published on 23 January 2008. The Acting Government Actuary states that his predecessor recommended that the minimum balance in the National Insurance Fund should be one-sixth (16.7 per cent.) of estimated annual benefit expenditure. The report confirms that the balance in the fund is expected to be greater than the minimum recommended in 2008-09.

Parkinson's Disease: Death

Stephen Hepburn: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people died from Parkinson's disease in  (a) Jarrow constituency,  (b) South Tyneside,  (c) the North East and  (d) the UK in each year since 1997.

Angela Eagle: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.
	 Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated 18 February 2008:
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent question asking how many people died from Parkinson's disease in  (a) Jarrow constituency,  (b) South Tyneside,  (c) the North East and  (d) the UK in each year since 1997. (186960)
	The attached table provides the number of deaths from Parkinson's disease in  (a) Jarrow parliamentary constituency,  (b) South Tyneside local authority,  (c) North East Government Office Region, and  (d) the UK, from 1997 to 2006 (the latest year available).
	
		
			  Table 1. Number of deaths from Parkinson's disease,( 1)  Jarrow parliamentary constituency, South Tyneside local authority, North East government office region, and UK, 1997-2006( 2,3,4) 
			  Deaths (persons) 
			   Jarrow  South Tyneside  North East  UK 
			 1997 6 8 109 2,917 
			 1998 6 6 98 2,976 
			 1999 3 4 106 3,072 
			 2000 6 11 131 3,007 
			 2001 5 7 171 4,275 
			 2002 7 12 228 4,464 
			 2003 6 13 215 4,759 
			 2004 9 19 217 4,287 
			 2005 6 10 220 4,507 
			 2006 10 15 222 4,444 
			 (1) Cause of death was defined using the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision (ICD-9) code 332.0 from 1997 to 2000 for England, Wales and Northern Ireland, and from 1997 to 1999 for Scotland, and the Tenth Revision (ICD-10) code G20 from 2001 to 2006 for England, Wales and Northern Ireland, and from 2000 to 2006 for Scotland. The introduction of ICD-10 in 2000 for Scotland, and 2001 for England, Wales and Northern Ireland means that the numbers of deaths from this cause for earlier years are not comparable with those for later years. (2) Based on parliamentary constituency and local authority boundaries as of 2007. (3) Figures are for deaths registered in each calendar year. (4 )Figures include data provided by the Registrars General for Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Population

James Clappison: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  what the population density is of each region of England;
	(2)  how many estimates of population density in  (a) the UK,  (b) England,  (c) Scotland,  (d) Wales,  (e) Northern Ireland and  (f) the regions of England have been made since 1987; and what each estimate was;
	(3)  what assessment he has made of the likely effects of  (a) migration on population density in England and  (b) the increase in population density implied by Office for National Statistics population projections;
	(4)  what his most recent estimates are of the likely population densities of  (a) the UK,  (b) England,  (c) Scotland,  (d) Wales and  (e) Northern Ireland in 2056;
	(5)  what the population densities are expected to be of each of the regions of England on the basis of the change in population forecast by the Government Actuary Department and the Office for National Statistics in  (a) 2031 and  (b) 2056;
	(6)  pursuant to the answer of 3 December 2007,  Official Report, columns 1035-36W, on population, if he will rank the regions of England in terms of the population density of each region of the EU, giving the population density of each EU region according to the most recent available figures.

Angela Eagle: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.
	 Letter from Colin Mowl, dated 18 February 2008:
	The National Statistician has been asked to reply to your questions on population density:
	what the population density is of each region of England. (177451)
	how many estimates of population density in (a) the UK, (b) England, (c) Scotland, (d) Wales, (e) Northern Ireland and (f) the regions of England have been made since 1987; and what each estimate was. (177464)
	what assessment has been made of the likely effects of (a) migration on population density in England and (b) the increase in population density implied by Office for National Statistics population projections. (177465)
	what the most recent estimates are of the likely population densities of (a) the UK, (b) England, (c) Scotland, (d) Wales and (e) Northern Ireland in 2056. (177466)
	what the population densities are expected to be of each of the regions of England on the basis of the change in population forecast by the Government Actuary Department and the Office for National Statistics in (a) 2031 and (b) 2056. (177467)
	pursuant to the Answer of 3(rd) December 2007, Official Report, Columns 1035-6W, on population, what is the ranking of the regions of England in terms of the population density of each region of the EU, giving the population density of each EU region according to the most recent available figures. (178317)
	I am replying in her absence.
	Table 1 (parts 1 and 2), attached, shows population density figures calculated for each mid-year estimate from 1987 to 2006 for the UK and constituent countries, and regions in England. This includes (on part 2) the latest, mid-2006, estimate of densities for each region of England. In terms of the number of population density estimates, population estimates are produced annually but may be subject to later revision. Population density calculations are readily produced from these estimates and are normally published each year.
	Population projections are demographic trend-based projections that indicate what the population levels of an area are likely to be if recently observed trends in fertility, mortality and migration were to continue. They take no account of future developments which may affect trends. Projections should not be seen as predictions. If, as in recent years, there is an increase in migration levels then the assumptions are changed to reflect this.
	Table 2 below shows projected population densities for England for the period to mid-2031 based on the ONS 2006-based principal population projection. It also shows what the projected densities would be if net migration at each age was assumed to be zero from 2006 onwards, but making the same fertility and mortality assumptions as the principal projection.
	
		
			  Table 2: Actual and projected population density of England, 2006 to 2031 
			  Person per sq km 
			   2006  2011  2016  2021  2026  2031 
			 Principal projection 390 405 420 436 450 464 
			 Zero migration variant projection 390 396 403 408 411 413 
			  Source: Office for National Statistics. 
		
	
	Table 3, below shows the projected population density of the UK and constituent countries in 2056.
	
		
			  Table 3: Projected population density of UK and constituent countries in mid-2056 
			  Person per sq km 
			 United Kingdom 324 
			   
			 England 521 
			 Wales 165 
			 Scotland 67 
			 Northern Ireland 153 
			  Source: Office for National Statistics. 
		
	
	Table 4, below, shows the projected population density for English regions in 2029, the closest year available to your question. The most recent subnational population projections, published in September 2007, are 2004-based projections and cover a 25 year projection period from 2005 to 2029; this means that it is not possible to provide data for subnational population projections for 2031 or 2056. Please note that as these data are based on 2004 based subnational projections they are not directly comparable with the latest (2006-based) national projections given in Table 2. 2006 based subnational population projections are due to be published in June and these will allow calculation of population densities for 2031 on a comparable basis with the latest (2006 based) national projections.
	
		
			  Table 4: Mid-2029 projected population density for England by Government office region 
			   Person per sq km 
			 North East 299 
			 North West 519 
			 Yorkshire and the Humber 372 
			 East Midlands 319 
			 West Midlands 441 
			 East 341 
			 London 5,371 
			 South East 484 
			 South West 249 
			  Source: Office for National Statistics. 
		
	
	The ONS does not hold data on population density for EU regions (outside of the UK).
	
		
			  Table 1, part 1: Population density for mid-year estimates, 1987 to 2006 
			  Person per sq km 
			   1987  1988  1989  1990  1991  1992  1993  1994  1995  1996 
			 United Kingdom 234 235 235 236 237 237 238 239 239 240 
			
			 England 363 364 365 366 367 368 369 370 371 372 
			 North East 302 301 301 301 302 302 303 302 301 301 
			 North West 484 483 484 484 485 485 485 485 484 483 
			 Yorkshire and the Humber 317 317 319 319 320 321 322 322 322 322 
			 East Midlands 252 253 255 256 257 259 260 261 262 263 
			 West Midlands 400 400 401 401 402 403 404 404 404 405 
			 East 263 265 265 266 268 269 270 271 272 274 
			 London 4,304 4,281 4,295 4,325 4,344 4,344 4,354 4,372 4,397 4,436 
			 South East 394 396 397 398 400 402 402 404 407 409 
			 South West 193 194 195 196 197 198 199 200 201 201 
			
			 Wales 136 137 138 138 139 139 139 139 139 139 
			
			 Scotland 65 65 65 65 65 65 65 65 66 65 
			
			 Northern Ireland 117 117 117 118 118 120 120 121 121 122 
		
	
	
		
			  Table 1 , part 2 : Population density for mid-year estimates, 1987 to 2006 
			  Person per sq km 
			   1997  1998  1999  2000  2001  2002  2003  2004  2005  2006 
			 United Kingdom 240 241 242 243 244 245 246 247 248 250 
			
			 England 374 375 376 378 380 381 383 385 387 390 
			 North East 300 299 297 297 296 296 296 297 297 298 
			 North West 482 481 480 480 480 480 482 483 485 486 
			 Yorkshire and the Humber 322 322 322 322 323 325 326 329 331 334 
			 East Midlands 264 265 266 267 268 271 273 275 277 280 
			 West Midlands 405 406 406 405 406 407 409 410 412 413 
			 East 276 277 279 281 283 284 286 288 291 293 
			 London 4,462 4,494 4,551 4,603 4,658 4,683 4,684 4,700 4,743 4,779 
			 South East 412 414 417 419 421 422 424 426 429 432 
			 South West 203 203 205 206 207 209 210 212 213 215 
			
			 Wales 140 140 140 140 140 141 141 142 142 143 
			
			 Scotland 65 65 65 65 65 65 65 65 65 66 
			
			 Northern Ireland 123 124 124 124 124 125 125 126 127 128 
			  Sources: Office for National Statistics General Register Office for Scotland and Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency.

Population

Danny Alexander: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the working-age population was in each region in each year since 1997.

Angela Eagle: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.
	 Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated 18 February 2008:
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your questions regarding what the working age population was in each region in each year since 1997. (186829)
	The attached table shows the working age population in each government office region for the years 1997-2006.
	The latest population estimates available are for mid-2006.
	
		
			  Mid-year estimates of working age population by Government office region 
			  Thousand 
			   1997  1998  1999  2000  2001  2002  2003  2004  2005  2006 
			 England 29,754 29,868 30,044 30,243 30,487 30,686 30,867 31,083 31,384 31,627 
			 North East 1,559 1,556 1,552 1,549 1,552 1,559 1,564 1,568 1,578 1,586 
			 North West 4,104 4,108 4,100 4,110 4,122 4,140 4,167 4,193 4,218 4,236 
			 Yorkshire and The Humber 3,003 3,004 3,006 3,012 3,035 3,063 3,090 3,126 3,167 3,200 
			 East Midlands 2,522 2,530 2,544 2,555 2,574 2,599 2,624 2,653 2,682 2,711 
			 West Midlands 3,189 3,193 3,195 3,195 3,210 3,224 3,238 3,250 3,268 3,282 
			 East 3,213 3,234 3,250 3,274 3,294 3,316 3,342 3,365 3,401 3,430 
			 London 4,498 4,540 4,633 4,726 4,829 4,875 4,884 4,919 4,982 5,033 
			 South East 4,798 4,821 4,865 4,891 4,922 4,940 4,966 4,990 5,032 5,066 
			 South West 2,869 2,882 2,901 2,929 2,950 2,971 2,993 3,020 3,055 3,083 
			
			 Wales 1,719 1,723 1,727 1,735 1,739 1,749 1,759 1,773 1,780 1,790 
			  Note: Working age is defined as ages 16 to 64 for males, and 16 to 59 for females. Source: Office for National Statistics. 
		
	
	continued

Population

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what projection he has made of population figures in 2014.

Angela Eagle: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.
	 Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated 18 February 2008:
	As National Statistician I have been asked to reply to your question asking what projection has been made of population figures in 2014. (186924)
	New national population projections, based on the population at the middle of 2006, were published on 23 October 2007. These projections give a United Kingdom total population figure at mid-year 2014 of 64.1 million.

Revenue and Customs: Data Protection

Christopher Chope: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer for what reason the PAYE Coding Notices for 2007-08 and 2008-09 issued by HM Revenue and Customs on 24 January 2008 in respect of Mr. Hemmings of Worthing and Mr. Wigley of Wanstrow, Somerset, were sent to a taxpayer in Christchurch, together with that taxpayer's PAYE Coding Notice; and if he will make a statement.

Jane Kennedy: HMRC investigations have established that this was an isolated incident resulting from a manual handling error. HMRC has sent apology letters and up-to-date Coding Notices to the affected customers and requested the return of the Coding Notices sent in error.

Road Traffic Offences

Jeremy Browne: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many  (a) parking tickets and  (b) speeding fines were issued for vehicles used by his Department in each of the last 10 years; and what the cost to the public purse of those penalties was in each year.

Angela Eagle: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport on 5 February 2008,  Official Report, columns 1014-15W.

Seized Articles

David Evennett: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many seizure notices were issued by customs officials in each of the last five years.

Jane Kennedy: The information requested is not available.

Smuggling: Animal Products

James Paice: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many product of animal origin detector dogs have been used at ports and airports in Great Britain in each year since 2001.

Jane Kennedy: Meat detection dogs were introduced by DEFRA in 2002, and were transferred to HMRC in 2003. The number of products of animal origin detector dogs used at ports and airports in Great Britain since 2002 is in the following table:
	
		
			   Number of dogs 
			 2002 2 
			 2003 2 
			 2004 6 
			 2005 10 
			 2006 11 
			 2007 11 
			 2008 9

Smuggling: Drugs

John Cummings: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what volume of illegal drugs was seized at the ports of  (a) Hartlepool,  (b) Teesside,  (c) Tyneside,  (d) Wearside and  (e) Seaham in each year since 2000, broken down by type of drug; and if he will make a statement.

Jane Kennedy: National information on seizures made by HM Revenue and Customs is contained in their annual reports.
	Information of seizures, by location, cannot be disclosed as this would provide information of value to those seeking to circumvent HM Revenue and Customs' controls, thereby prejudicing the prevention and detection of crime.

Smuggling: Tobacco

David Taylor: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate has been made of the proportion of the illicit trade in tobacco in  (a) 2005-06 and  (b) 2006-07 that was in (i) manufactured cigarettes and (ii) hand rolling tobacco.

Angela Eagle: The 2005-06 estimates of the illicit trade in manufactured cigarettes and hand rolling tobacco are given in Measuring Indirect Tax Losses2007 published by HMRC in October 2007.
	Estimates for 2006-07 will be published alongside the 2008 pre-Budget report.

Strokes: Death

Mark Hunter: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people died as a result of a stroke in each  (a) strategic health authority area,  (b) primary care trust area,  (c) Westminster constituency,  (d) English region and  (e) socio-demographic group in each year since 2002.

Angela Eagle: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply. The reply has been placed in the Library.

Tax Credits

Mark Hoban: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the answer of 23 January 2008,  Official Report, column 2101W, on tax credits, what proportion of complaints received replies in  (a) under one week,  (b) between one and two weeks,  (c) between two and three weeks,  (d) between four and five weeks and  (e) over five weeks in each of the last three years.

Jane Kennedy: Although HM Revenue and Customs aim to reply to the majority of letters within three weeks, following the administrative issue I referred to in my statement of 25 July 2007,  Official Report, columns 62-63WS, some parts of HMRC's tax credits business have, regrettably, been subject to delays. I am not satisfied with this performance and the Tax Credit Office is working hard to improve the speed of responses. Around 40 per cent. of replies issued in December 2007 were sent within three weeks of receiving the correspondence.
	For the proportion of complaints sent a full reply for the periods requested I refer the hon. Member to the following table:
	
		
			   Cleared within  Percentage clearance  Cumulative percentage 
			 2005-06 1 week 5 5 
			  1 to 2 weeks 14 19 
			  2 to 3 weeks 14 33 
			  3 to 4 weeks 10 43 
			  4 to 5 weeks 5 48 
			  Over 5 weeks 52 100 
			 
			 2006-07 1 week 4 4 
			  1 to 2 weeks 12 16 
			  2 to 3 weeks 13 29 
			  3 to 4 weeks 13 42 
			  4 to 5 weeks 11 53 
			  Over 5 weeks 47 100 
			 
			 2007-08(1) 1 week 5 5 
			  1 to 2 weeks 8 13 
			  2 to 3 weeks 10 23 
			  3 to 4 weeks 9 32 
			  4 to 5 weeks 9 41 
			  Over 5 weeks 59 100 
			 (1) To 31 December 2007.

Taxation

Frank Field: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Stafford of 29 January 2008,  Official Report, column 291W, on taxation, what levels of need his Department attributes to  (a) a single person and  (b) a married couple with (i) one, (ii) two and (iii) three children for the purposes of determining tax credit entitlements.

Jane Kennedy: Tax credit entitlement is determined according to family income and the number of children in a family. A single earner family earning 10,000 a year is entitled to tax credits of 90.93 per week with one child, 126.28 per week with two children and 161.63 per week with three children. This is in addition to child benefit payable for each child.

Taxation: Gambling

Clive Betts: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the effective tax rate is for  (a) bingo clubs,  (b) casinos,  (c) local betting offices and  (d) adult gaming centres.

Angela Eagle: It is not possible to give an accurate estimate of the effective tax rate on each premises type as it depends on a range of factors. These include: the types of gambling activity each type of premises offers; the tax liability each gambling activity incurs; and the relative mix of these different activities. However, the average effective rates of taxation on bingo, casino gaming and gaming machines are between 20 and 25 per cent. The rate of general betting duty is 15 per cent.

Taxation: Gambling

Tobias Ellwood: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  what gambling activities are subject to  (a) value-added tax and  (b) gross profits tax;
	(2)  how much value-added tax was collected from adult gaming centres in England and Wales in  (a) 2006 and  (b) 2007.

Angela Eagle: VAT is chargeable on admission fees to premises where gambling takes place, club subscriptions, the takings from gaming machines, and fees for the playing of a game of chance where no prize is offered.
	With certain exceptions, VAT is also chargeable on the provision of facilities for the playing of any games of chance for a prize, including bingo participation and session fees.
	General betting duty, pool betting duty, bingo duty, gaming duty and remote gaming duty are all levied on a gross profits tax basis.
	HM Revenue and Customs does not collect data on the amount of VAT paid on individual goods and services.

Taxation: Property

Bob Neill: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will place in the Library a copy of the presentation made and handouts produced by the representative of the Valuation Office Agency entitled, Towards modernisation in property tax systems: the British experience, during the International Seminar on Property Taxation in Salvador da Bahia, Brazil on 22 November 2007; and what the cost to the public purse of attendance at this seminar was.

Jane Kennedy: The Valuation Office Agency did not send an official representative to this seminar and no cost to the public purse was incurred.

Taxation: Second Homes

Karen Buck: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the estimated cost to the public purse was of tax exemptions to  (a) second home owners and  (b) buy-to-let landlords in each year since 2000.

Jane Kennedy: No tax exemptions are available for either second homes owners or buy-to-let landlords, and therefore there are no costs to the public purse.

Taxation: Sports

Michael Gove: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  what criteria were used to classify  (a) angling,  (b) ballooning,  (c) billiards, pool and snooker,  (d) crossbow,  (e) rifle and pistol shooting,  (f) flying,  (g) gliding,  (h) motor sports and  (i) parachuting as sports which do not qualify for a tax exemption;
	(2)  for what reason community amateur sports clubs as defined by HM Revenue and Customs receive tax exemptions; what the criteria are for definition as a community amateur sports club; and if he will make a statement;
	(3)  what representations he has received on changing the number of animal racing activities which are eligible for tax exemption; and if he will make a statement.

Jane Kennedy: Sports clubs that meet certain criteria are able to register with HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) as community amateur sports clubs (CASCs) and enjoy a range of tax reliefs. It is not however for HMRC to decide which activities are eligible sports for the CASC scheme. Eligible sports are defined by Treasury Order, by reference to the Sports Councils' list of recognised activities. The list can be accessed at
	www.sportengland.org/index/get_resources/resource_ul.htm.
	HMRC registered CASCs are eligible for tax reliefs because the Government recognise the benefits of community participation in sport and the benefits that CASCs can bring in terms of health, community building and crime reduction. Because of these benefits, the Government provide tax exemptions to support those amateur sports clubs that do make a positive contribution to their local communities and to encourage local communities to support their CASCs.
	The key criteria for registration as a CASC are that a club must;
	be open to the whole community
	be organised on an amateur basis
	have as its main purpose the provision of facilities for and promotion of participation in eligible sportsas defined by the Sports Councils' list of recognised activities.
	Further detail of these criteria can be found at
	http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/casc/index.htm.
	Treasury Ministers and officials receive representations from a wide range of organisations and individuals in the public and private sectors as part of the process of policy development and delivery. As was the case with previous Administrations, it is not the Government's practice to provide details of all such representations.

Tobacco: Exports

David Taylor: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the share of the tobacco market in  (a) Belgium,  (b) the Netherlands and  (c) Luxembourg that is UK manufactured hand-rolled tobacco.

Angela Eagle: The Government have not made an estimate of the share of the tobacco markets in  (a) Belgium,  (b) the Netherlands and  (c) Luxembourg that is UK manufactured hand-rolled tobacco. In order to inform its monitoring and enforcement of compliance by tobacco manufacturers with Section 2 of the Finance Bill 2006, HM Revenue and Customs has had, and continues to have, discussions with manufacturers about the level of demand for their products for consumption outside the United Kingdom.

Valuation Office: ICT

Bob Neill: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much the Valuation Office Agency has spent in relation to its automated valuation model on  (a) consultancy,  (b) payments to CapGemini including those indirectly to CLT,  (c) hardware,  (d) staffing and  (e) other costs since September 2005.

Jane Kennedy: Since September 2005, when the Council Tax Revaluation in England was postponed, approximately 5.5 million has been spent by the Valuation Office Agency on IT development (software, hardware and technical consultancy) and on other support costs associated with securing the investment in its automated valuation model (AVM). This will allow the AVM to be used as a support for the Agency's day-to-day work, including maintenance of council tax valuation lists. Staffing costs associated with developing and maintaining the AVM are not recorded separately.

Valuation Office: Opinion Research Corporation

Bob Neill: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much the Valuation Office Agency spent on Opinion Research Corporation's services in each year since 2001; and what the purpose of each service purchased was.

Jane Kennedy: No work was undertaken for the agency prior to 2004. The total expenditure (exclusive of VAT) in the last four financial years is:
	
		
			  Financial year  Project name  Total expenditure () 
			 2004-05 Annual customer survey 10,450 
			 2005-06 Annual customer survey 18,955 
			  People's Panel research (prior to the postponed council tax revaluation) 68,390 
			 2006-07 Annual Customer Survey 30,000 
			 2007-08 Annual Customer Survey 25,000 
			
			 Total spend  152,795

Valuation Office: Rightmove

Bob Neill: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the answer of 8 January 2008,  Official Report, column 509W, on Valuation Office: Rightmove, 
	(1)  what the timetable is for HM Revenue and Customs, on behalf of the Valuation Office Agency, to decide whether or not to exercise its option to extend the contract with Rightmove for a further 12 months;
	(2)  whether HM Revenue and Customs, on behalf of the Valuation Office Agency, intends to exercise its option to extend its contract for a further 12 months with Rightmove.co.uk Plc when the current 34 month contract period expires in March 2008; and if he will make it his policy to terminate the contract at the end of the 34 month period.

Jane Kennedy: This is an operational decision for the Valuation Office Agency, who should continue to gather, in the most cost-effective way, the data it requires to perform its statutory functions.

VAT: Energy

Richard Benyon: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether it is the Government's policy to reduce value added tax on energy efficiency devices from 17.5 per cent. to 5 per cent.

Jane Kennedy: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 23 January 2008,  Official Report, column 2096W, to the right hon. Member for Scunthorpe (Mr. Morley).

Welfare Tax Credits

Julia Goldsworthy: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the answer of 6 December 2007,  Official Report, columns 1500-01W, on welfare tax credits, what definition his Department uses of financial hardship in such cases.

Jane Kennedy: holding answer 1 3  December 2008
	HM Revenue and Customs approach is set out in its Code of Practice 26 available at:
	http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/taxcredits/forms-leaflets.htm
	HMRC published revised guidance on their website on 31 January.

Welfare Tax Credits

Mark Todd: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what progress has been made on the review of tax credit cases announced on 25 July 2007; and what implications the outcomes of the review have for those people whose cases are subject to review and are also involved in disputes on tax credit entitlements for the immediately succeeding years.

Jane Kennedy: HM Revenue and Customs are running a three year programme of work to review tax credit awards where it appears awards were reduced as a result of new information which came to light after the award for that year had been finalised and closed. In a small number of cases the outcome of the review will be to remit an overpayment. Overpayments which are not part of the review will not be affected.

Welfare Tax Credits

Chris Grayling: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  what estimate he has made of the number and proportion of UK households below  (a) 60 per cent.,  (b) 50 per cent. and  (c) 40 per cent. of the median household income are eligible for, but not in receipt of (i) child benefit, (ii) working tax credit and (iii) child tax credit;
	(2)  what estimate he has made of the number and proportion of children living in households whose income is below  (a) 60 per cent.,  (b) 50 per cent. and  (c) 40 per cent. of the median household income are eligible for, but not in receipt of (i) child benefit, (ii) working tax credit and (iii) child tax credit.

Jane Kennedy: The information requested for tax credit recipients and children in these families could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
	Estimates for the number of in-work families who were eligible but not claiming tax credits, by income used to calculate entitlement, are presented in table 4 of the HMRC publication Child Tax Credit and Working Tax Credit. Take-up rates. 2004-05. This is available on the HMRC website at:
	http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/stats/personal-tax-credits/takeup-rates2004-05.pdf
	It is estimated that around 98 per cent. of eligible families receive child benefit. The household income is not recorded for child benefit purposes as it does not affect the recipient's award. Therefore, the information requested is not available.

Welfare Tax Credits

Chris Grayling: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the number of children who would be lifted out of poverty if all households claimed the full amount of  (a) child benefit,  (b) child tax credit and  (c) working tax credit to which they are entitled.

Jane Kennedy: Increased financial support for families with children through tax credits and child benefit have played a key role in reducing child poverty, helping to lift 600,000 children out of relative poverty, and 1.8 million children out of absolute poverty between 1998-99 and 2005-06.
	It is estimated that approximately 98 per cent. of families in the UK claim child benefit. Latest statistics show that take-up of tax credits for families with children was 82 per cent. in 2004-05, rising to 97 per cent. for those on low incomes, significantly higher than for previous comparable systems of support.
	Evidence from some external studies and Treasury modelling suggest that full tax credit take-up might reduce the child poverty rate by one percentage point or more compared with 2004-05 take-up rates. Such estimates are subject to a number of uncertainties and simplifying assumptions, and should be taken as a very broad guide only.

Welfare Tax Credits

Danny Alexander: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer with reference to the written statement of 25 July 2007,  Official Report, columns 62-63WS, on tax credit administration, what has been the effect of rectifying the administrative error in the tax credit system on the time it takes HM Revenue and Customs to  (a) resolve (i) pre-existing and (ii) fresh complaints,  (b) submit information regarding (A) pre-existing and (B) fresh complaints to the Adjudicator and  (c) submit information regarding (1) pre-existing and (2) fresh complaints to the parliamentary ombudsman in (x) affected and (y) unaffected cases.

Jane Kennedy: The administrative error had an initial impact on the time it took HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) to handle complaints about tax credits. The position has now been recovered for the majority of cases.

Welfare Tax Credits: Complaints

Bob Spink: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many complaints the Tax Credits Office received on tax credits in each of the last five years.

Jane Kennedy: For information about the number of complaints received in the Tax Credit Office for each year from January 2004 to May 2007 I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer given to the hon. Member for Yeovil (Mr. Laws) on 13 June 2007,  Official Report, column 1125W. Information about the numbers of complaints about tax credits received in the Tax Credit Office in each month from June to December 2007 is given in the following table.
	
		
			  Month 2007  Number of complainants (approximate) 
			 June 3,850 
			 July 3,400 
			 August 3,250 
			 September 2,800 
			 October 3,150 
			 November 3,350 
			 December 1,900

Welfare Tax Credits: Northern Ireland

Eddie McGrady: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the cost of recovering overpayment of tax credits from claimants in Northern Ireland.

Jane Kennedy: The cost of recovering overpayments of tax credits in Northern Ireland is not available centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
	I refer to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Fareham (Mr. Hoban) on 31 January 2008,  Official Report, column 681W.

Welfare Tax Credits: Overpayments

Jeremy Wright: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when his Department expects to publish details of the new test intended to replace the reasonable belief test used in disputed cases of overpayment of tax credits.

Jane Kennedy: HM Revenue and Customs published the revised guidance on their website at www.hmrc.gsi.gov.uk on 31 January 2008.

Welfare Tax Credits: Overpayments

David Drew: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the reasons were for the recent changes to HM Revenue and Customs' Code of Practice 26, What Happens if We Have Paid You too Much Tax Credit; and if he will make a statement.

Jane Kennedy: holding answer 5 February 2008
	 HMRC published the new Code of Practice 26 on its website (www.hmrc.gov.uk/leaflets/cop26.pdf.) on 31 January 2008. Details were also given in my letter to the parliamentary and health service ombudsman of 29 January 2008 setting out the Government's response to her report on tax credits. That letter was deposited in the Library of the House.
	HMRC has consulted widely on the changes seeking the views of the adjudicator, the ombudsman and also a number of the voluntary organisations, including the Child Poverty Action Group, Citizens Advice and the Low Incomes Tax Reform Group.
	The new code no longer has a reference to what is or is not 'reasonable' for a customer to have understood. Instead, HMRC and customers' respective responsibilities are clearly set out in the code.
	 HMRC will be responsible for:
	paying the correct award; and
	ensuring that changes reported to them by customers are recorded accurately and promptly.
	Importantly, the Department will have a time limit (30 days) to act on information reported to them.
	 The customer's responsibilities will be to:
	report changes of circumstances promptly;
	check that their award notice properly reflects their family's circumstances and income and if it is incorrect to inform HMRC within 30 days of receiving the award notice; and
	check that the award matches the amounts going into their bank account and, if they are incorrect, to inform HMRC.
	If a customer reports a change of circumstance then HMRC have 30 days to act on that change. If HMRC fail to act within 30 days then any resulting overpayment after the 30 days will be remitted.

Welfare Tax Credits: Telephone Services

Mark Hoban: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much was spent on staff recruitment for the Tax Credits Helpline in each year for which figures are available.

Jane Kennedy: This information is not available in the format requested as the data cannot be disaggregated from other costs.

Welfare Tax Credits: Telephone Services

Mark Hoban: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what methods have been used to recruit staff for the Tax Credits Helpline in the last year.

Jane Kennedy: HMRC does not recruit staff specifically for the Tax Credits Helpline, but instead advertises for Contact Centre Advisers. Over the last year HMRC has advertised externally in Local and National newspapers, on internet sites, on local radio and conducted road shows, attended Job fairs and Job Centre Plus offices. HMRC also recruits advisers internally and from other Government Departments by advertising vacancies through internal departmental intranet sites and publications.

Welfare Tax Credits: Telephone Services

Mark Hoban: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many staff at each grade were employed on the Tax Credits Helpline in each year since it was established.

Jane Kennedy: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the former Paymaster General on 25 July 2006,  Official Report, column 1392W. The number of full-time equivalent (FTE) staff employed on the Tax Credit Helpline for the year ended 31 March 2007 is estimated to be around 4,000, and for the year ended 31 March 2008 the figures are not yet available.
	The analysis of these figures by grade is not available. At any given time, the numbers of staff working on the Tax Credits Helpline can vary considerably from the figures given as staff are increasingly deployed flexibly across HMRC's Helplines to respond to changing customer demand.

BUSINESS, ENTERPRISE AND REGULATORY REFORM

Arms Trade: Export Controls

Phyllis Starkey: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what applications have been received for export licences for the sale of arms to Sri Lanka since 1 January 2007; what type of arms were included in each application; whether each application was approved; and what the grounds for refusal were for each application which was refused.

Malcolm Wicks: The Government publish detailed information on export licences issued and refused, including the overall value and number of export licences approved for Sri Lanka and a summary of the items covered by these licences, in its annual and quarterly reports on strategic export controls. For licences refused, the reports provide, by destination, information on the number of licences refused, and a description of the nature of those goods (by reference to the relevant entry in export control legislation), and indicate which of the Consolidated EU and National Arms Export Licensing Criteria applied.
	The Government's annual reports, published since 1997, are available from the Libraries of the House and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) website at:
	http://www.fco.gov.uk/servlet/Front?pagename=OpenMarket/Xcelerate/ShowPagec=Pagecid=1007029395474
	The Government have published quarterly reports on strategic export controls since January 2004 and these are also available from this website.

Bankruptcy: Agriculture

James Paice: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform how many  (a) bankruptcy orders and  (b) company liquidations there were in the agriculture sector in each year since 1997.

Patrick McFadden: The closest available estimates for bankruptcies in the agriculture sector are among self-employed farmers under the category agriculture according to the Insolvency Trade Classification (ITC). Also provided are the numbers of company liquidations in the agriculture sector.
	The following table provides the England and Wales figures in 1997Q3 2006.
	
		
			  Bankruptcies and company liquidations in England and Wales in the agriculture sector, 1997Q3 2006 
			   Bankruptcy orders  Company liquidations 
			 1997 155 51 
			 1998 157 65 
			 1999 183 75 
			 2000 173 67 
			 2001 183 90 
			 2002 132 76 
			 2003 151 52 
			 2004 204 35 
			 2005 195 35 
			 2006 (up to September)(1) 129 28 
			 (1) Figures from October 2006 are not available due to development work to update the classification to the Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) 2003. These will be available for new cases from July 2007.

Broadband: Elderly

Helen Southworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what discussions he has had with colleagues in the Department for Culture, Media and Sport on the potential of the digital switchover programme to increase access to the internet for  (a) older people and  (b) people with a disability.

Malcolm Wicks: Discussions on the potential of the digital switchover programme to facilitate increased internet usage have been ongoing between the Department for Trade and Industry/Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform, and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport throughout the development of the policy for whether, and if so, how and when, full switchover to television should be implemented. The joint GovernmentIndustry Digital Television Action Plan which operated from January 2002 to November 2004 included a number of actions to explore the potential synergies between television switchover and providing access to services provided over the internet. With further technological advances since 2005, the issue has continued to be considered in the digital switchover programme. However, it remains the case that, while some means of electronic communications such as broadband networks can also offer reliable access to digital television services, digital television does not of itself provide easy-to-use access to the internet.
	The Government have asked the BBC to establish and fund the Digital Switchover Help Scheme to assist those aged 75 or over, and younger people with significant disabilities, including those registered as blind or partially sighted to convert to digital television. The scheme will provide practical help with obtaining and installing equipment, and aftercare support. Providing access to the internet would add significantly to the complexity of the scheme and of the communications which support it. It is also likely to add significantly to the complexity for many of the recipients of the Help Scheme assistance and so act counter to the objectives of the scheme. We will continue to keep under review the options for accommodating new and emerging technologies into the scheme to help ensure that the equipment provided best suits the needs and interests of older and disabled people.

Broadband: Elderly

Helen Southworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what estimate he has made of the number of  (a) older people and  (b) people with a disability using broadband to enhance their access to goods or services; what further scope there is for increasing the number of older and disabled people who can gain such access; and if he will make a statement.

Malcolm Wicks: The Department does not collect statistics on this matter. Statistics on the elderly and people with disabilities using broadband to enhance their access to goods and services are collected by Ofcom and the Ofcom Advisory Committee on Older and Disabled People.
	Ofcom's UK Communications Market 2007 report shows that penetration falls with age when you look at internet usage with just 16 per cent. of over-65s using the web, although this age group spend on average almost 42 hours online every month, more than any other group. One quarter of all Britons online are over 50 and 30 per cent. of total time spent on the internet is by over-50s.
	There are a number of industry and the third sector groups looking at ways of increasing the number of older and disabled people with access to online who can then benefit from using broadband to access goods and services. Organisations like, UK Online Centres, Citizens Online, RNID, RNIB, Help the Aged, Silver Surfers club, i2010, eAccessibility/Design for all, Action plan against Poverty, the Government's LinkAgePlus and local authorities through the DC10plus are all helping to get more people online.

Capita

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform how much was paid by his Department and its predecessor to Capita Group plc and its subsidiaries in each financial year since 2000; which contracts were awarded by his Department to Capita Group plc in each year from 2000-01 to the most recent available date; what the cost was of each contract; what penalties for default were imposed in contract provisions; what the length was of each contract; whether the contract was advertised; how many companies applied for the contract; how many were short-listed; what criteria were used for choosing a company; what provision was made for renewal without re-tender in each case; and if he will make a statement.

Gareth Thomas: Central records indicate that the following amounts have been paid to Capita Group plc and its subsidiaries in each financial year from 2003-04 to date:
	
		
			   2003-04  2004-05  2005-06  2006-07  2007-08( 1) 
			 Capita 177,948 46,346 78,424 716,539 665,044 
			 Capita Business Services Ltd. 615,200 551,145 5,650 37,198,789 34,159,964 
			 Capita Centres UK Ltd. 0 0 0 190 0 
			 Capita Hartshead 0 0 0 25,575 4,272 
			 Capita Health Solutions Ltd. 0 0 0 281,676 1,712,412 
			 Capita Insurance Services 129,682 1,217,269 28,303,504 30,907,287 0 
			 Capita Insurance Services Group Ltd. 3,946,723 66,708,092 48,052,556 127,250 0 
			 Capita Learning and Development 0 0 0 1,379 -895 
			 Capita Resourcing Ltd. 0 0 0 314,737 589,595 
			 Capita Resourcing Ltd. T/A Veredus 0 0 0 0 184,702 
			 Capita Symonds Ltd. 0 0 4,126 1,113 0 
			 BMI Health Services 15,151 5,353 682 0 0 
			 Capita Interim Management 0 0 3,270 0 0 
			 Capita RAS Ltd. 0 0 8,500 0 0 
			 (1) To date. 
		
	
	Further information is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Companies: Data Protection

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what estimate he has made of the  (a) number and  (b) percentage of UK companies that store data indefinitely in compliance with one or more of (i) the Markets in Financial Instruments Directive, (ii) the single euro payments area, (iii) the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and (iv) the Companies Act 2006.

Angela Eagle: I have been asked to reply.
	(i) There is no obligation imposed by the Markets in Financial Instruments Directive to store data indefinitely. MiFID requires that documents be held for at least five years and that certain client records be held for at least the duration of the firm's relationship with the client.
	(ii) The Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA) is an industry initiative. For this reason the Government have not requested firms to store SEPA compliance data. The European Payments Council, which oversees the SEPA initiative, requires firms to hold information in order to comply with SEPA. To date 16 UK banks have adhered to SEPA, representing 84 per cent. of UK retail banking payment volume.
	(iii) The UK Government do not hold data on UK companies that are required to comply with the US Sarbanes-Oxley Act.
	(iv) There is no requirement under company law for UK companies to store any historic data indefinitely. The Companies Act 2006 introduced time limits, of 10 years, for certain records including, for example, minutes of a meeting. This was primarily to allow UK companies to dispose of such information, as some had previously been storing it indefinitely. All companies are required to hold certain documents and records, which should be kept up to date for the lifetime of the company. For example the company's registers of members and directors must be kept available for inspection.

Construction: Standards

John Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what recent representations he has received on the creation of a single set of competency standards for the construction industry; and if he will make a statement.

Malcolm Wicks: The issue of competency standards for construction has been raised briefly by the Specialist Engineering Group (SEC) at meetings with the Department. No formal representations have been received.

Departmental Consultants

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform how much his Department spent on external consultants in  (a) 2003-04 and  (b) 2004-05.

Gareth Thomas: Central records indicate that the cost to the Department of engaging external consultants in each of the following financial years has been:
	
		
			million 
			 2004-05 86 
			 2003-04 112

Departmental Marketing

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform pursuant to the answer of 24 January 2008,  Official Report, column 2187W, on departmental marketing, what the cost of the re-branding exercise was.

Gareth Thomas: The rebranding exercise in the previous answer refers to the costs incurred in setting up BERR. An analysis of these costs dated 21 November 2007 showed them to be 218,063. These included stationery, rebranding and IT changes, including revised email addresses, new signage, web-based changes, new logo and print costs (including the re-launch of BERR on 1 November 2007) and the anticipated cost of branding guidelines.

Departmental Marketing

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform pursuant to the answer of 24 January 2008,  Official Report, column 2187W, on departmental marketing, whether any external contracts were awarded to  (a) run and  (b) facilitate the re-branding exercise.

Gareth Thomas: No external contracts were awarded to run or facilitate the rebranding exercise. It was run and managed by BERR staff.

Departmental Telephone Services

Julia Goldsworthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what telephone contact centres his Department is responsible for.

Gareth Thomas: The Department's central records do not contain the information to answer this question. Therefore, the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform could answer this question only at disproportionate cost.

Departmental Travel

Jeremy Browne: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform how much his Department and its predecessors spent on travel  (a) within and  (b) outside the UK for officials in each of the last 10 years; and what percentage of his Department's overall expenditure was spent on such travel in each of those years.

Gareth Thomas: The total amount spent on travel  (a) within and  (b) outside the UK by BERR and its predecessor, the DTI, in each of the last 10 years was:
	
		
			   
			   Outside UK  Within UK 
			 1998-99 5,019,971 n/a 
			 1999-2000 5,291,063 n/a 
			 2000-01 5,470,024 n/a 
			 2001-02 4,912,785 n/a 
			 2002-03 5,583,825 4,235,910 
			 2003-04 4,260,257 4,310,326 
			 2004-05 5,483,903 3,976,125 
			 2005-06 5,601,629 3,709,167 
			 2006-07 6,295,501 3,234,332 
			 April 2007 to November 2007 1,752,867 2,529,628 
			 n/a = Not available 
		
	
	These figures include travel, accommodation and incidental costs associated with travel.
	To provide details of the percentage of the Department's overall expenditure on such travel for each of those years would entail disproportionate costs.

Departmental Travel

Jeremy Browne: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform how many overseas visits by officials in his Department took place in each of the last 10 years; which countries were visited; and how much was spent on such visits in each such year.

Gareth Thomas: The total amount spent on foreign travel by BERR and its predecessor, the DTI, in each of the last 10 years was:
	
		
			
			 1998-99 5,019,971 
			 1999-2000 5,291,063 
			 2000-01 5,470,024 
			 2001-02 4,912,785 
			 2002-03 5,583,825 
			 2003-04 4,260,257 
			 2004-05 5,483,903 
			 2005-06 5,601,629 
			 2006-07 6,295,501 
			 April 2007 to November 2007 1,752,867 
		
	
	The Department does not separately record details of which countries were visitedto provide this information would entail disproportionate cost.
	These figures include travel, accommodation and incidental costs associated with travel.

Departmental Travel

David Heathcoat-Amory: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform how much was spent by the former Department for Trade and Industry and his Department on expenses, travel and accommodation to Brussels in each year since 2000.

Gareth Thomas: Details of the amount spent by BERR, and previously by DTI, on travel and accommodation to Brussels are available only from June 2002 to date and are:
	
		
			   
			   Travel  Accommodation 
			 June to December 2002 420,294 55,885 
			 January to December 2003 630,725 15,256 
			 January to December 2004 577,633 9,305 
			 January to December 2005 717,260 16,587 
			 January to December 2006 512,668 94,076 
			 January 2007 to date 424,301 95,374 
		
	
	Details of expenses to Brussels are not centrally recorded. To obtain this information would entail disproportionate cost.

Employment: Discrimination

Danny Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform pursuant to the answer of 24 January 2008,  Official Report, columns 2188-9W, on employment: discrimination, how many cases based wholly or partially on a complaint of age discrimination have been brought before the Employment Service Tribunal in each of the last 10 years.

Bridget Prentice: I have been asked to reply.
	The collection of details on Age Discrimination cases only became a requirement from October 2006, thus information is only available from that period. From October 2006 until the end of January 2008, there were 2,514 age discrimination cases out of a total of 147,530 discrimination cases. From 2002 until October 2006, there was a total of 114,392 discrimination cases. The information is summarised in the following table.
	
		
			  Numbers of discrimination and age discrimination cases, 2002 until January 2008. 
			   October 2002 to October 2006  October 2006 to January 2008  Total 
			 Discrimination 114,392 147,530 261,922 
			 Age discrimination Not available 2,514 Not available 
			 Source: The Tribunals Service

Energy Supply: Meters

David Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform pursuant to paragraph 2.1.25 of the 2007 Energy White Paper, what ways of reducing the costs associated with pre-payment meters his Department has considered; and if he will make a statement.

Malcolm Wicks: holding answer 7 February 2008
	The costs associated with pre-payment meters reflect the higher cost of the meter itself, as well as that of the complex payment and support infrastructures required to support them, involving suppliers, meter owners and thousands of retail outlets.
	Gas and electricity suppliers have been considering their tariff structures and two companies have equalised their standard credit and prepayment prices for electricity, while one offers prepayment customers a lower price for both fuels than that paid by standard credit customers. In addition, some suppliers offer social tariffs and other measures that benefit their most disadvantaged customers.
	I will continue to look with Ofgem and the energy companies at ways of reducing the costs associated with pre-payment meters. I also support Ofgem's work to promote access to cheaper payment methods, especially direct debit.
	The Government will shortly set out their next steps on smart meters. Such meters could significantly reduce the cost of serving a prepayment meter customer.

Energy Technologies Institute: Finance

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what the cost to the public purse is of the Energy Technologies Institute in 2007-08.

Ian Pearson: I have been asked to reply.
	The Energy Technologies Institute was legally established on 12 December 2007 as a limited liability partnership. Direct costs accrued in April to December 2007 by the public sector in support of the establishment of the ETI are estimated to amount to approximately 1,466,520. The majority of these costs will be shared with the private sector partners and off-set against public sector contributions to ETI during 2008.

Energy: Conservation

James Paice: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform how much was raised by the energy efficiency commitment, broken down by energy supplier in each year since its introduction; and how much will be raised by the carbon emission reduction target on the same basis.

Phil Woolas: I have been asked to reply.
	We estimate that the first phase of EEC (2002-05) cost suppliers around 410 million and stimulated about 600 million worth of investment in energy efficiency delivering net benefits to householders in excess of 3 billion. The EEC's second phase (2005-08) is expected to cost suppliers around 1.2 billion and stimulate 400 million worth of annual investment in energy efficiency, delivering net benefits of 7.2 billion. The forthcoming CERT (2008-11) is estimated to cost energy suppliers around 2.8 billion, stimulating low carbon investment of some 4.3 billion and delivering net benefits to households worth approximately 12 billion.

Energy: Conservation

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what guidance and incentives are available for businesses to implement more energy efficient  (a) information and communication technology equipment,  (b) working practices and  (c) data centres.

Phil Woolas: I have been asked to reply.
	The Carbon Trust is working with a number of companies in the information communications technology (ICT) and financial services sectors through the carbon management process, to help reduce their carbon emissions and implement energy efficient practices. This includes a number of data centres, where barriers to energy efficiency implementation include:
	education at executive level in relation to risks and opportunities surrounding 'carbon intensity' and differentiation of services offered in the market place. A cultural evolution within these companies is needed, accompanied by significant changes to organisational structure;
	commercial risk of installing new technologies due to loss of system availability, brand perception and because the systems are deemed to be of critical importance to the UK economy;
	business regulation (particularly in the financial sector) requiring energy intensive backup and disaster recovery systems; and
	difficulty in retrofitting existing data centres.
	The Carbon Trust is in discussions with industry bodies to share understanding of energy issues in data centres, and is giving serious consideration to rolling out an industry-wide solution.
	The Carbon Trust also provides a range of general guidance on the energy efficient use of office equipment, staff awareness and energy management. This is done through its customer centre, website and publications. The Carbon Trust also founded the Low Carbon Culture Company. This makes use of the Carbon Trust's experience in understanding carbon emissions to help companies reduce their carbon emissions by changing employee behaviour.

Energy: Meters

Greg Hands: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform if he will make a statement on the replacement of consumer energy display units with smart meters; who will bear the cost of replacement; and what research his Department has carried out on using alternative meters.

Malcolm Wicks: The Government have carried out a consultation on metering and billing, including smart meters, display devices and the relationship between the two. The Government will set out the next steps on metering and billing shortly.

Energy: Meters

Richard Benyon: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform 
	(1)  when he will make the statutory instrument necessary to enable consumers of energy to request real time consumption display devices;
	(2)  whether the Government intend to provide free real-time energy consumption display devices to householders.

Malcolm Wicks: In August 2007, the Government consulted on a range of metering and billing proposals, including the provision of electricity display devices. The Government will shortly set out their response to the consultation, including the next steps on smart meters and display devices.

Energy: Warrington

Helen Southworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what steps he is taking to reduce energy costs to  (a) low income families and  (b) vulnerable people in Warrington.

Malcolm Wicks: Action to reduce energy costs for those on low incomes cuts across several Departments. The Government have a package of measures in place to support vulnerable households to reduce energy costs.
	We have announced that spend on energy efficiency measures for those on low incomes for the period 2008-11 will be in excess of 2.3 billion. Since 2000 the Warm Front programme has helped over 14,000 vulnerable households install energy efficiency measures in Warrington.
	In the Energy White Paper we made it clear that we expected energy suppliers to have a proportionate programme of assistance in place for vulnerable customers. Energy companies have responded positively and have recently increased the level of support they provide to vulnerable customers from 40 million to 56 million this winter.

Engineering

Bill Olner: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what assessment he has made of the contribution of the engineering industry to the economy in 2007.

Malcolm Wicks: The engineering industry, counting the sectors defined by the Community Innovation Survey as engineering-based manufacturing industries, contributed some 57 billion gross value added to the UK economy in 2006, the last year for which figures are available.

Export Control Act 2002

Michael Moore: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform when he expects to publish the Government's response to the consultation on the review of the Export Control Act 2002; and if he will make a statement.

Malcolm Wicks: The Government published their response on 7 February 2008. The response is available from the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR) at:
	http://www.berr.gov.uk/europeandtrade/strategic-export-control/legislation/export-control-act-2002/review/index.html

Exports: China

Greg Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform whether any commercial export contracts were agreed  (a) during and  (b) as a result of the Prime Minister's recent visit to Beijing.

Gareth Thomas: holding answer 28 January 2008
	My right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform, and my right hon. Friend, the Prime Minister, witnessed a number of commercial contract signings during the recent visit to Beijing.
	It is too early to say what the commercial results of the visit were. However, I am confident that following discussions and agreements reached during the visit, including the announcement of a new $60 billion bilateral trade target, and the business matching event involving British and Chinese companies, there will be a significant number of commercial relationships arising from the visit.

Fair Trade Initiative

Michael Moore: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what his Department's policy is on the use of fair trade goods  (a) in staff catering facilities and  (b) at official departmental functions and meetings; and if he will make a statement.

Gareth Thomas: My Department has adopted a policy to use fair trade products within its catering operations and includes a clause within the contract specification with its catering service provider.

Farepak Response Fund

Ian McCartney: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform if he will place in the Library a copy of the Farepak Response Fund accounts for the period from 10 November 2006 to 31 July 2007; and if he will make a statement.

Gareth Thomas: I will arrange for a copy of the accounts to be placed in the Library promptly.

Fuel Poverty

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what steps have been taken to assist the fuel poor in meeting any increases in electricity prices resulting from the renewables obligation.

Malcolm Wicks: Government measures outlined in the UK Fuel Poverty 5(th) Annual Strategy Progress Report are aimed at ensuring the fuel poor are able to meet their fuel bills. Since 2000, the Government have spent 20 billion on benefits and programmes, including the winter fuel payment which helped keep 11.7 million people warm in the winter of 2006-07.
	In addition, the combination of Warm Front funding of just over 800 million for the 2008-11 period and the focus on low income and elderly consumers through the priority group obligation in the Carbon Emissions Reduction Target (CERT) mean that spending on energy efficiency and other measures in low income, elderly and disabled households is expected to rise by 680 million to around 2.3 billion compared to the previous spending period.

Fuel Poverty

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what steps the Government has taken to reduce levels of fuel poverty since 1997.

Malcolm Wicks: holding answer 22 January 2008
	The Government developed a strategy for tackling fuel poverty which was published in 2001. The strategy focuses on improving the energy efficiency of low income households and increasing their income.
	Since 2000, the Government have spent 20 billion on fuel poverty benefits and programmes. Winter fuel payments that helped 11.7 million people keep warm last winter will continue for the rest of this Parliament. The Government have also announced that spend on household energy efficiency measures for the period 2008-11 will be in excess of 2.3 billion680 million more than the previous spending period.

Fuel Poverty

Roger Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of social tariffs for energy supplies in alleviating fuel poverty.

Malcolm Wicks: In the Energy White Paper the Government asked the energy companies to provide a proportionate programme of assistance to vulnerable consumers. Following analysis of Ofgem's review of energy suppliers' social initiatives, the Government found that the energy companies offered an extensive range of social programmes, including social tariffs, trust funds and rebates, and concluded that the energy companies were offering a proportionate level of assistance. A supplier is deemed to be offering a proportionate level of assistance if it is offering measures around or above the industry average at the time of the publication of the White Paper. The energy companies have increased their contribution from 40 million to 56 million this winter, lifting a further 70,000 households out of fuel poverty by the end of 2007.

Fuel Poverty

David Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform pursuant to his answer of 15 October 2007,  Official Report, column 805W, on fuel poverty, what the duration is of each of the social initiatives announced by the six major energy suppliers in light of the 2007 Energy White Paper; and if he will make a statement.

Malcolm Wicks: holding answer 7 February 2008
	In the Energy White Paper, we made it clear that we expected energy suppliers to have a proportionate programme of assistance in place for vulnerable customers. Energy companies have responded positively and have recently increased the level of support they provide to vulnerable customers from 40 million to 56 million this winter. Further details about the duration of these programmes will be provided in due course.

Fuel: Meters

Roger Godsiff: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what steps are being taken to reduce the difference in costs between those paying for fuel on prepay meters and those paying by direct debit.

Malcolm Wicks: The costs associated with pre-payment meters reflect the higher cost of the meter itself, as well as that of the complex payment and support infrastructures required to support them, involving suppliers, meter owners and thousands of retail outlets.
	Gas and electricity suppliers have been considering their tariff structures and two companies have equalised their standard credit and prepayment prices for electricity, while one offers prepayment customers a lower price for both fuels than that paid by standard credit customers. In addition, some suppliers offer social tariffs and other measures that benefit their most disadvantaged customers.
	I will continue to look with Ofgem and the energy companies at ways of reducing the costs associated with prepayment meters. I also support Ofgem's work to promote access to cheaper payment methods, especially direct debit.
	The Government will shortly set out their next steps on smart meters. Such meters could significantly reduce the cost of serving a prepayment meter customer.

Fuel: Meters

Roger Godsiff: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform how many people pay for fuel on prepay meters in Sparkbrook and Small Heath constituency.

Malcolm Wicks: Splits by payment type are not available at constituency level. The lowest level of aggregation available is distribution zone, with Sparkbrook and Small Heath being located in the West Midlands. This information is published quarterly in Quarterly Energy Prices, the latest version of which is accessible online at
	http://www.berr.gov.uk/files/file43302.pdf.
	The following table shows the total number of domestic customers and the number of customers paying using a prepay meter in the West Midlands for both electricity and gas.
	
		
			  Total customers  Pre-payment customer  Percentage 
			  Electricity   
			 2,166,600 321,500 15 
			
			  Gas   
			 1,884,700 210,200 11

Furniture: Carbon Emissions

Madeleine Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what plans he has to encourage British furniture manufacturers to reduce their carbon footprint through the use of sustainable manufacturing practices.

Malcolm Wicks: Government are taking action to encourage all parts of the economy including manufacturing to reduce their carbon footprint. The Commission for Environmental Markets and Economic Performance report published in November reported that there are opportunities for all businesses to improve eco-efficiency and operational performance by addressing the environmental impact of products throughout their whole lifecycle. The Carbon Trust offers advice and support schemes to business and more specific measures are set out in the Climate Change Bill currently going through Parliament. Government have introduced a number of initiatives which help businesses including WRAP which offers advice to manufacturers on recycling and reducing material consumption and from April the Manufacturing Advisory Service will extend its services to include improving resource efficiency in both energy and waste.

Furniture

Madeleine Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform how many furniture manufacturers operate in the UK; how many people the industry employs; and how many items made by British furniture manufacturers were exported in the latest period for which figures are available.

Malcolm Wicks: In 2006, the latest year for which full figures are available from official statistics, the UK furniture industry had 7,327 enterprises, 110,000 employees and exported 923 million worth of goods (the number of items exported is not available from official statistics).
	 Source:
	ONS ABI and MQ10

Furniture

Madeleine Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what estimate he has made of the contribution to the British economy made by UK furniture manufacturers.

Malcolm Wicks: Official statistics show that in 2006, the latest year for which full figures are available, the furniture industry contributed 3,588 million in gross value added(1) to the UK economy.
	(1 )Approximate gross value added at basic prices for SIC 36.1
	 Source :
	ONS ABI

Furniture

Madeleine Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform if he will make it his policy to ensure that Government funding to support furniture manufacturing industry and its supply chain is more effective for the industry across all geographical regions.

Malcolm Wicks: Regional Development Agencies (RDAs) have a remit to promote business efficiency and competitiveness and they deploy funding support according to regional priorities. The RDAs are also the principle channel for delivery of business support through Business Link and the Manufacturing Advisory Service which are available to all parts of manufacturing industry.

Government Office for London: Finance

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what the Government Office for London's budget has been in each year since its establishment.

Parmjit Dhanda: I have been asked to reply.
	Government office for London's running cost expenditure is as follows:
	
		
			   Total ( million)  Status 
			 1998-99 16.0 Outturn 
			 1999-2000 16.0 Outturn 
			 2000-01 14.7 Outturn 
			 2001-02 13.2 Outturn 
			 2002-03 14.1 Outturn 
			 2003-04 16.7 Outturn 
			 2004-05 18.9 Outturn 
			 2005-06 18.5 Outturn 
			 2006-07 17.6 Outturn 
			 2007-08 16.3 Forecast spend

Imports: Furniture

Madeleine Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what assessment his Department has made of the effects of furniture imports from  (a) China and  (b) Poland on the British furniture manufacturing industry.

Malcolm Wicks: No such assessments have been made. Imports from low cost economies represent a significant challenge to all parts of UK manufacturing and Government are taking action through the Manufacturing Strategy to help companies to compete on value rather than low wages. We have started a review of the Strategy to ensure that it continues to meet the changing demands on the sector and so that companies can take advantage of opportunities in emerging markets.

Industrial Diseases: Compensation

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what payments were made under coal health schemes in each year for which figures are available.

Malcolm Wicks: The following table shows the payments made under the coal health compensation schemes since its inception as at 3 February 2008.
	
		
			   million 
			   COPD  VWF 
			   Damages  Solicitors costs  Damages  Solicitors costs 
			 Pre 1999 21.3 0.02 4.6 1.0 
			 1999 21.8 0.8 51.5 4.5 
			 2000 60.9 8.2 149.3 10.4 
			 2001 134.8 31.7 232.2 24.9 
			 2002 295.5 62.7 227.4 19.2 
			 2003 414.0 123.5 246.0 18.9 
			 2004 341.0 138.7 175.1 7.8 
			 2005 427.9 254.0 137.4 8.1 
			 2006 303.7 233.7 161.1 20.5 
			 2007 162.4 102.0 230.0 48.1 
			 2008 9.7 8.1 20.6 3.0 
			 Total 2,192.9 963.3 1,635.1 166.5 
			  Note: Figures do not add-up due to rounding.

Information and Communications Technology: Energy

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what recent discussions he has had with representatives of the information and communications technology (ICT) industry on the energy efficiency of ICT products.

Malcolm Wicks: holding answer 7 February 2008
	Government Ministers and officials have regular discussions with representatives of the information and communications technology (ICT) industry on a wide range of issues including the energy efficiency of its products.

International Trade

Dai Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform whether his Department discussed in advance with HRH Prince Andrew, in his role as special representative for international trade and investment, the businesses whose interest he would promote during his visit to the world economic forum in Davos.

Gareth Thomas: In advance of HRH The Duke of York's attendance at the World Economic Forum in Davos, in his role as the UK's Special Representative for International Trade and Investment, UK Trade and Investment discussed the programme for his visit with the Duke of York's Private Office.

Liquified Natural Gas: Milford Haven

Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what estimate he has made of the liquefied natural gas (LNG) storage capacity that will be provided at the two new LNG import terminals to be commissioned at Milford Haven.

Malcolm Wicks: holding answer 6 February 2008
	These developments are a commercial matter. Based on BERR's current data on capacity under construction, the information requested is:
	South HookLNG storage capacity equivalent to 470 mcm of gas in gaseous form;
	DragonLNG storage capacity equivalent to 100 mcm of gas in gaseous form.
	I should take this opportunity to make the following correction to the answer given to the hon. Member's earlier question, 30 January 2008,  Official Report , column 416W. The figure for LNG storage capacity at import terminals is equivalent to 120 mcm of gas in gaseous form (not the 50 mcm previously indicated). Consequently Great Britain's total existing fixed storage capacity for liquefied natural gas is the equivalent of 380 mcm of gas in gaseous form (not the 310 mcm previously indicated).

London Development Agency: Grants

Bob Neill: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform 
	(1)  whether his Department  (a) records,  (b) monitors and  (c) audits grants made by the London Development Agency;
	(2)  what records his Department holds of grants made by the London Development Agency to bodies other than trade unions.

Patrick McFadden: The Secretary of State's approval is only required by the London Development Agency for expenditure on individual projects where these exceed the Agency's current financial delegation of 50 million and for a proportion of projects between 10 million and 50 million. The Department keeps records of these projects and receives monitoring reports on them. The Department does not keep records of smaller grants made by the Agency.
	It is not the Department's role to audit grants provided by the LDA. As a functional body of the GLA, the LDA's external auditor is the Audit Commission.

Manufacturing Industries: Employment

Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform how many jobs in the manufacturing sector there were in  (a) Ribble Valley constituency,  (b) Lancashire county council area and (c) England in each of the last 10 years.

Gareth Thomas: holding answer 25 January 2008
	Figures from the Office for National Statistics detailing the number of jobs in the manufacturing sector as per the hon. Member's question are shown in the following table:
	Figures for 2007 are not yet available.
	
		
			   (a) Ribble Valley  (b) Lancashire CC  (c) England 
			 1998 9,500 138,500 3,504,700 
			 1999 9,800 129,700 3,395,500 
			 2000 10,600 127,200 3,279,500 
			 2001 9,600 116,700 3,121,000 
			 2002 10,400 115,700 2,965,600 
			 2003 9,100 112,900 2,807,100 
			 2004 8,000 107,700 2,665,400 
			 2005 7,800 102,100 2,549,700 
			 2006 8,500 98,600 2,481,100

Minimum Wage: Publicity

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what steps the Government has taken to promote awareness of the national minimum wage since its introduction.

Patrick McFadden: holding answer 7 February 2008
	 There were high profile publicity campaigns to raise awareness of the national minimum wage in the early years following its introduction. Since then the Government have run a campaign to inform workers and employers about the rates.
	This year we are running a more sustained national and regional campaign including radio and poster advertising, an online campaign targeting young workers, an outreach campaign involving a national minimum wage bus visiting more than 30 towns and cities across Great Britain, and a campaign targeting migrant workers bringing in elements of these campaigns. These campaigns seek to promote awareness of the minimum wage, the rates and where workers and employers can get advice or make a complaint.
	We are also working with business to identify what support they need to ahead of new penalties for underpayment of NMW which are being introduced through the Employment Bill.

Minimum Wage: Young People

Linda Riordan: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what estimate he has made of the number of 18 to 21-year-olds in the Halifax area who are being paid more than they otherwise would because of the minimum wage.

Patrick McFadden: Estimates of earnings distribution by region are derived from the ONS's Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE). ASHE data are not available at the level of detail required to identify the Halifax area.
	However, it is estimated that around 7 per cent. of employee jobs held by 18 to 21-year-olds in Yorkshire and the Humber region stood to benefit from the October 2007 increase in the national minimum wage.

Ministers: Responsibilities

Gerald Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform whether Baroness Vadera's ministerial responsibilities include oversight of  (a) UK Trade and Investment and  (b) the Defence and Security Group; and if he will make a statement.

John Hutton: No. My noble Friend, the Minister for Trade Promotion and Investment has ministerial responsibility in BERR for UK Trade and Investment (UKTI). His responsibilities will also include defence and security trade promotion when UKTI takes over responsibility for defence exports from the Defence Export Services Organisation on 1 April 2008. He is responsible for the Department's general relations with the defence and security business sectors.

Mobile Phones: Fraud

Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what regulations his Department has introduced prohibiting phishing texts on mobile telephones.

Malcolm Wicks: The practice of attempting fraud by text message, also known as smishing, is rare in the UK. Under the provisions of the Privacy and Electronic Communications (EC Directive) Regulations 2003, any unsolicited text messages are illegal. Text messages should only be sent with the prior consent of the individual subscriber, but there is an exemption where the subscriber has given his or her mobile telephone number direct to a company in the context of the purchase of a product or service. Enforcement is undertaken by the Information Commissioner.

Nuclear Installations Act 1965

Dai Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform when the Government plans to consult on amending the Nuclear Installations Act 1965.

Malcolm Wicks: I understand the hon. Member to be referring to the Government's intention to consult on amending the Nuclear Installations Act 1965 to implement the amendments made in 2004 to the Paris and Brussels Conventions on third party nuclear liability. We intend to consult on this later this year.

Nuclear Power

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform pursuant to the answer of 21 January 2008,  Official Report, column 1632W, on nuclear power, how many respondents requested anonymity for their submissions; how many such respondents were  (a) companies,  (b) individuals and  (c) others; and how many submissions were made to the consultation.

Malcolm Wicks: We received 2,728 written responses to our public consultation on nuclear power. Of these, 261 were treated as confidential. We asked respondents to identify themselves by category in making their responses. Of the 261 responses treated as confidential, 62 defined themselves as coming from a company-related sector. Of these, two responses were on behalf of a company, and 60 were individual responses. 149 responses came from those defining themselves as individuals. Of these, four indicated that they were making a response on behalf of an organisation. 50 responses came from a group of sectors summarised as other, including academic, consultancy, Government agency or sponsored body, local or regional government, trade union, voluntary or environmental organisation. Of these, five indicated that they were making a response on behalf of an organisation.

Olympic Games 2012: West Midlands

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what steps the Government has taken to encourage West Midlands businesses to examine the opportunities arising from the hosting of the 2012 Olympic Games.

Patrick McFadden: holding answer 7 February 2008
	London 2012 has recently launched the London 2012 Business Network, which is aimed at helping businesses, particularly SMEs, to access Contracts and sub-Contracts from the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
	The West Midlands launch of the Network took place on 23 January 2008, at Villa Park. The keynote speaker was Mr. Paul Deighton, the chief executive of the London Organising Committee for the Olympic Games (LOCOG). The launch was attended by 260 delegates, around 75 per cent. of whom were from private sector businesses. The regional development agency for the West Midlands, Advantage West Midlands (AWM), is committed to promoting the London 2012 Business Network in the region.
	As part of that process, the West Midlands Business Council, which is funded by AWM, has organised a series of 17 Olympic Opportunities seminars across the region. The first seminar took place on 1 February in Ross-on-Wye and the Coventry seminar will take place on 14 March. A full list of the seminars can be accessed at www.wmbusinesscouncil.org.uk under Events.
	In addition, the agency is working closely with Business Link to support businesses in the region to maximise the number of 2012 Tenders won in the West Midlands. This includes a series of ten, detailed, half-day Tender Training Workshops, themed around London 2012. The Coventry workshop is on 20 February.
	The regional development agencies, including AWM are joint funders of one of the main components of the 2012 Business Network, the CompeteFor system.
	CompeteFor gives unprecedented access to top-tier and lower-level sub-contracts from Olympic Delivery Authority and LOCOG Tenders.

Packaging: Misleading Advertising

John Greenway: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform 
	(1)  whether he plans through the implementation of the Unfair Commercial Practices Directive to increase consumer protection from misleading copycat packaging;
	(2)  what assessment he has made of the trading standards departments' capacity to enforce the Unfair Commercial Practices Directive regulations without the inclusion of provision for private prosecution against misleading copycat packaging.

Gareth Thomas: The Office of Fair Trading and Trading Standards Departments will have a duty to enforce the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations (CPRs) implementing the Unfair Commercial Practices Directive. The Government believe that these enforcement arrangements suffice to adequately enforce the CPRs, including in relation to misleading copycat packaging design. OFT and Trading Standards Departments will have to act in a manner consistent with their duty to enforce the Regulations. Indeed the Gowers Review of Intellectual Property notes that in this context the Local Authority Co-ordinators of Regulatory Services have said that once the UCPD is in place they will act on behalf of consumers by pursuing businesses who act improperly.
	For this reason the Government do not propose to allow businesses to enforce the regulations. However, they will review the position three years after the regulations come into force.

Political Levy

Andrew Tyrie: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what funding his Department has provided to trades unions through the Union Modernisation Fund and Union Learning Fund to promote awareness of trades union members' right to opt out of political funds since 1997.

Patrick McFadden: Neither the Union Modernisation Fund nor the Union Learning Fund provides funding to trade unions to promote awareness of trade union members' right to opt out of political funds.
	The Union Learning Fund is administered by the Department for Innovation, University and Skills.

Post Offices: Closures

Greg Hands: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what consideration the Minister of State for Employment Relations and Postal Affairs has given to the letter from the London borough of Hammersmith and Fulham dated January 2008 on post office closures in that local authority area.

Patrick McFadden: I have seen the letter from Councillor Paul Bristow of the London borough of Hammersmith and Fulham council and would recommend that the council contact Post Office Ltd to discuss their concerns and proposals for future service provision in the borough.

Post Offices: Closures

Peter Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform with reference to the answer of 29 October 2007,  Official Report, column 706W, on post offices: closures, if he will make an assessment of the impact on transport-related climate change emissions arising from the Post Office Network change programme.

Patrick McFadden: holding answer 7 February 2008
	No. The 17 area plans published by Post Office Ltd. to 5 February indicate that on average over 95 per cent. of the population in each area will see no change to the post office branch they currently use or will be within one mile of an alternative branch. And, as stated in the Government's response to the public consultation on the post office network, closures will principally affect a combination of branches in areas of high provision and those that are least used. Post Office Ltd. have been tasked with taking a strategic overview of service provision to ensure that in areas of high provision, people should be able to find an alternative branch nearby and the vast majority will still be within walking distance of their nearest office. With the least used, the number of people affected will, by the nature of the offices, be low.

Post Offices: Closures

John Baron: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform with reference to the meeting held by his Department with the hon. Member for Billericay on 12 December 2007, if he will instruct Post Office Ltd. to release financial data pertaining to post offices earmarked for closure to Essex county council before the proposed closure of such post offices on 11 February.

Patrick McFadden: holding answer 7 February 2008
	I understand that detailed discussions are now in progress between Post Office Ltd. and Essex county council regarding the post offices which the council has expressed an interest in supporting financially.

Post Offices: Closures

Danny Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform 
	(1)  which post office branches closed temporarily in each parliamentary constituency in each month from January 2005 to October 2007;
	(2)  which temporary post office closures in each parliamentary constituency were made permanent between January 2005 and October 2007; and on what date each closure was made permanent;
	(3)  how many new post office outreach services were created in each month from January 2005 to October 2007;
	(4)  how many temporarily closed post office branches remained part of the Post Office network at the beginning of each month from January 2005 to October 2007.

Patrick McFadden: This is an operational matter for Post Office Ltd (POL). I have therefore asked Alan Cook, managing director of POL, to reply direct to the hon. Member.
	Copies of the letter will be placed in the Libraries of the House.

Post Offices: Closures

Peter Soulsby: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what assessment he has made of the quality of the Post Office's consultation process for proposed branch closures.

Patrick McFadden: From the outset, Post Office Ltd has made clear that their local public consultation process is about how, not whether, network changes should be implemented. This was set out in their letter sent to all MPs last July.
	Across the 10 area plans for which final decisions had been announced as at 7 February, 22 closure decisions have been withdrawn and two proposed closures have been deferred for up to three months to allow time for local funding proposals to be developed and assessed. In the area plans published to date, on average over 10 per cent. of the initial proposals have been changed to ensure compliance with the access criteria and to take account of other factors demonstrating the company's responsiveness to the concerns of stakeholders such as Postwatch, local authorities and sub-postmasters.

Post Offices: Closures

Peter Soulsby: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what system there is for appealing against post office closures following the announcement of the Post Office's response to public consultation on branch closures in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.

Patrick McFadden: The review process for closure decisions after public consultation has been agreed between Post Office Limited and Postwatch. It applies where Postwatch shows for an individual branch that, either Post Office Ltd. has not given due consideration to material evidence received during the public consultation in coming to its decision or, evidence emerging from the consultation suggests that the proposal for the branch does not meet the Government's policy requirements. The aim of the review process is to reach an agreed way forward by a bilateral review of individual cases, with three stages available at increasing levels of seniority of the respective Post Office Ltd. and Postwatch representatives. For very difficult cases which remain unresolved after stage three, a further stage was recently added whereby Allan Leighton, chairman of Royal Mail Group, will review the issues and reach the final decision.
	Under this review process, specific closures proposals have been reversed in response to information received as part of the public consultation.

Postal Services

Peter Soulsby: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform 
	(1)  which local authorities made submissions to the Post Office consultation on the post office network change programme for Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland;
	(2)  what the cost was of the Post Office's consultation on the network change programme for Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.;
	(3)  how many responses were received in relation to each branch proposed for closure in the Post Office's consultation on the post office network change programme for Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.

Patrick McFadden: This is an operational matter for Post Office Ltd (POL). I have therefore asked Alan Cook, managing director of POL, to reply direct to the hon. Member.
	Copies of the letter will be placed in the Libraries of the House.

Postwatch

Peter Soulsby: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what recent assessment he has made of Postwatch's ability to carry out its statutory duties.

Patrick McFadden: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform has made no such assessment.
	As an executive non-departmental public body the performance of Postwatch is a matter for its board and the chief executive officer, which is monitored via regular meetings with BERR, the sponsor Department.

Public Telephones

John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform 
	(1)  what estimate he has made of the number of public telephone boxes which  (a) display advertising on their exterior and  (b) displayed advertising on 24 January (i) 2007 and (ii) 2003;
	(2)  what estimate he has made of the number of red public telephone boxes that have been replaced.

Malcolm Wicks: Under the terms of the Universal Service Obligation imposed on BT and Kingston Communications by the regulator, the Office of Communications (Ofcom), the companies are required to maintain public call boxes to meet reasonable demand across the UK. Ofcom enforce this requirement but I understand that Ofcom do not collect information on the design of public call boxes or the extent to which the exterior is used for advertising. My hon. Friend will need to contact the two companies to obtain this information.
	I understand from Ofcom that on UK streets there are currently 61,796 public telephone boxes.

Radioactive Materials: Transport

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform pursuant to the answer of 11 December 2007,  Official Report, columns 390-91W, on radioactive materials: transport, if he will place in the Library a copy of the responses to the section of the consultation which includes the question 'Do you agree or disagree with the Government's views on the transport of nuclear materials'.

Malcolm Wicks: A copy of the analysis of the responses to the consultation on The Role of Nuclear Power in a Low Carbon Economy has been placed in the Library.
	As we received 2,700 written responses to the consultation we do not intend to place copies of responses in the Library. However all the written responses to the consultation have been placed on the internet at:
	http://nuclearpower2007.direct.gov.uk
	The website allows responses and parts of responses on individual subjects, including the transport of nuclear materials, to be read separately.

Regional Development Agencies: Trade Unions

Bob Neill: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Brentwood and Ongar, of 9 January 2008,  Official Report, column 676W, on regional development agencies: trade unions, what the diversity works project was for which funds were given to the Trades Union Congress by the London Development Agency.

Patrick McFadden: I understand from the London Development Agency that the Agency's London Diversity Works for London programme has been working closely since 2006 with southern and eastern region TUC (SERTUC) to capacity build trade union representatives in their efforts to promote equality and diversity in workplaces in partnership with employers.

Renewable Energy: Heating

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what recent representations he has received on renewable heat supplies.

Malcolm Wicks: Representations on renewable heat have mainly been channelled to the Office of Climate Change who, until recently, have been leading work on renewable heat and have conducted initial consultations with a range of industry representatives, including those from the Government's Renewables Advisory Board.
	On 31 January 2008, BERR, along with DEFRA and CLG, published the Heat Call for Evidence which encourages input to Government thinking from industry and other stakeholders. Responses are due by the end of March.

Retail Trade: Internet

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what assessment he has made of the likely future change in levels of use of internet shopping and the implications for high street retail outlets; and if he will make a statement.

Malcolm Wicks: We have not made any such estimate. The internet has opened up a number of opportunities for high street retail outlets. These include potential increases in the customer base, the ability to sell goods for which there is insufficient space in retailers' high street stores, as well as the extra convenience for customers who can order online and then collect the goods from a high street outlet. The internet can also be exploited for marketing purposes, for example through the provision of information to customers on the products in their stores, and the ability to reach customers who would otherwise face difficulties in visiting high street outlets. Depending on circumstances, overheads can be reduced through lower fixed costs per item and a smaller proportion of goods stolen by shoplifters.
	The internet has brought about a wider marketplace where customers have greater information and choice than previously. High street retailers who adapt to new market conditions are likely to have more opportunities to grow their businesses.

Sellafield

Dai Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform how many completed MOX fuel assemblies were made in the Sellafield MOX plant in the last year for which figures are available; and what the production target was for that year.

Malcolm Wicks: The last full year for which production figures for the Sellafield MOX plant are available is the 2006-07 financial year, when the output was eight completed fuel assemblies against a target of 16. This information is contained in the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority's annual report and accounts for 2006-07, which is available on their website at:
	www.nda.gov.uk

Solar Power: Standards

Alan Whitehead: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what progress he has made with the accreditation of low pressure solar PV panel manufacturers under the terms of the Low Carbon Building Programme.

Malcolm Wicks: The Low Carbon Buildings programme supports microgeneration installations only where approved products and installers are used. This is to ensure that Government grants support reliable and safe installations, which comply with building regulations.
	Under the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) products must meet specified requirements. Where possible, the product requirements are taken from the appropriate British or European standards (e.g. solar thermal collectors have to comply with BS EN 12975-1:2006 when tested in accordance with BS EN 12975-2:2006).
	We assume that this question relates to solar thermal collectors. BS EN 12975 does include a pressure test (EN 12975-2:2006 Clause 5.2 Internal pressure test for absorbers). This test involves subjecting the solar collector to a pressure of 1.5 times the maximum solar collector operating pressure specified by the manufacturer. The 1.5 safety factor is normal for this type of test and since the pressure applied in the test is related to the manufacturer's specified maximum pressure, this test should be equally applicable to 'low pressure designs' as those that require higher pressures. This internal pressure test is not only limited to solar collectors incorporating evacuated tubes but also applied to flat plate solar collectors.
	The internal pressure test does not, however, apply to solar PV panels. For solar PV panels (and solar thermal collectors) there are mechanical load tests (to demonstrate the ability to resist the loads caused by wind and snow etc.).
	These types of tests are described in Clause 5.9 of EN 12975-2:2006 for solar thermal collectors and Clause 10.16 of EN 61215:2005 for PV modules.

South East England Development Agency

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform pursuant to the answer of 30 January 2008,  Official Report, column 418W, on South East England Development Agency, how much the South East England Development Agency received from renting its facilities to  (a) enterprise gateway projects and  (b) enterprise hubs in each of the last five years.

Patrick McFadden: holding answer 6 February 2008
	SEEDA has not received rent from any Enterprise Gateway Projects or Enterprise Hubs.

South East England Development Agency: Property

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform which properties are owned by the South East England Development Agency; to whom each is leased; and on what terms.

Patrick McFadden: The properties owned by the South East England Development Agency are set out in the table. I have placed a copy in the Libraries of the House.

Telecommunications: EU Law

Derek Wyatt: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what steps his Department has taken to implement the EU Radio and Telecommunications Terminal Equipment Directive; what further steps he plans to take; and if he will make a statement.

Malcolm Wicks: holding answer 6 February 2008
	The RTTE directive was published in the Official Journal of the EU on 7 April 1999, and has applied since 8 April 2000. All transitional provisions ended on 8 April 2001.
	The directive was transposed into UK law via The Radio Equipment and Telecommunications Terminal Equipment Regulations 2000 (SI 2000 No.730) which were published on 13 March 2000.
	The regulations were amended by The Radio Equipment and Telecommunications Terminal Equipment (Amendment) Regulations 2003 (SI 2003 No. 1903) which were published on 21 July 2003 and which took into account the coming into force of the EU communications directives on 25 July 2003.
	The regulations were further amended by The Radio Equipment and Telecommunications Terminal Equipment (Amendment No 2) Regulations 2003 (SI 2003 No.3144) which were published on 5 December 2003 and which, among other things, added Ofcom as an enforcement authority as a consequence of it assuming the responsibilities of the former Radiocommunications Agency.
	No further amendments are expected to be needed in the foreseeable future.

Telecommunications: Hearing Impaired

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform if he will review the definition of relay services for the deaf in the Government's 2003 Universal Service Order to include newer technologies such as video and internet protocol relay; and if he will make a statement.

Malcolm Wicks: holding answer 22 January 2008
	 The matter raised is the responsibility of the independent regulator, the Office of Communications (Ofcom), which is accountable to Parliament rather than Ministers. Accordingly, I have asked the chief executive of Ofcom to reply directly to the right hon. Member. Copies of the chief executive's letter will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

Timesharing: Complaints

John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform how many consumer complaints his Department has received on timeshare sales in the latest period for which figures are available.

Gareth Thomas: holding answer 29 January 2008
	 The Department's central records do not contain the information to answer this question. Therefore, the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform could answer this question only at disproportionate cost.

Trade Union and Labour Party Liaison Organisation

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform on how many occasions Ministers in his Department have met representatives of the Trade Union and Labour Party Liaison Organisation in each of the last three years.

Patrick McFadden: Ministers meet many people and organisations as part of the process of policy development. In addition, Ministers will meet their own party organisations from time to time. It is not normal practice to disclose details of such meetings.

Trade Unions

Andrew Tyrie: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what restrictions apply to trades unions making payments from their general funds to organisations other than political parties which engage in  (a) campaigning for changes to legislation and  (b) political campaigning.

Patrick McFadden: It is unlawful for trade unions to apply their general funds in furtherance of political objects as defined by section 72 of the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992, either directly or indirectly via another trade union, association or other organisation.

Trade Unions

Andrew Tyrie: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what guidance his Department has issued on the permissible use of resources from trades unions' general funds for campaign purposes.

Patrick McFadden: The BERR publication Trade union political funds: a guide to trade unions, their members and others refers to the use of general funds for expenditure on purposes which do not constitute political objects.

Tribunals: Employment

Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what recent representations he has received on changes to the role of lay members sitting on employment tribunals.

Patrick McFadden: holding answer 5 February 2008
	The Government consultation, Resolving Disputes in the Workplace, published in March 2007, raised a range of issues relating to dispute resolution. Many respondents to that consultation commented on the role of lay members sitting on employment tribunals.

Tribunals: Employment

Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what estimate he has made of the number of employment tribunals with  (a) three members,  (b) two members and  (c) one member adjudicating which will sit each year should the provisions of the Employment (Simplification) Bill be enacted.

Patrick McFadden: holding answer 5 February 2008
	The Government acknowledge the valuable and important contribution which lay members make to the tribunal system. This was reaffirmed through responses to the Government consultation Resolving disputes in the workplace which issued in March 2007 and closed on 20 June 2007. Most respondents commented that the tripartite structure of the tribunal was a real strength which aided decision-making in cases where considerations of context and reasonableness were important.
	There was also support in the consultation for chairs to sit alone in determining cases involving issues of a purely legal nature and in straightforward monetary cases, where the practical experience of the workplace that lay members bring to the tribunal's deliberations is of less relevance. Additionally over 70 per cent. of respondents to the consultation supported the introduction of a new, swift approach to dealing with straightforward claims, where cases could be determined by an employment tribunal chair, with the consent of the parties, on the basis of the papers. Responding to these findings in the consultation process, the Government propose to develop further good practice which already exists within the tribunals by establishing a fast-track system for dealing with simple monetary claims. The fast-track system will involve five jurisdictions where claims potentially raise straightforward issues and therefore potentially could be determined without the need for tribunal hearing. The jurisdictions considered suitable for the fast-track are:
	unlawful deductions from wages;
	breach of contract;
	redundancy pay;
	holiday pay; and
	the national minimum wage.
	Claims falling within this narrow band that are combined with other jurisdictions outside the list will not be eligible for a fast-track determination.
	The Government envisages that employment judges will make an early analysis of claims falling within these jurisdictions and form a view as to whether the case would be suitable for (a) determination based on the documents or (b) whether the issues raised are more suitable for a hearing, and if the latter, whether lay members need to be present. Where a case falls into category (a), the employment judge will write to the parties informing them that in his or her opinion the case could be determined on the basis of documents, but advising the parties that they have a right to a hearing. If the parties are content for the case to be determined without hearing, a written determination will be made. If one of the parties requests a hearing, the case will be heard either by an employment judge sitting alone or before a full tribunal. Where complex issues are raised, the case would be heard by a three-member tribunal.
	The fast-track potentially benefits both parties by enabling them to resolve straightforward issues quickly and efficiently reducing unnecessary burdens on the parties' time and, where they agree to a determination without hearing, saving them from costs associated with attendance or representation at tribunal hearings. We have estimated some 10 per cent. of tribunal claims will be potentially eligible for a fast-track determination.
	The Government remain committed to the tripartite nature of tribunals and recognise the important role which lay members play. Provisions in the Employment Bill will not impact on these valuable and trusted arrangements other than as outlined above.

Tribunals: Employment

Chris McCafferty: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what recent assessment he has made of the role of lay members on employment tribunals; and if he will make a statement.

Patrick McFadden: holding answer 7 February 2008
	 The Government acknowledge the valuable and important contribution which lay members make to the tribunal system. This was reaffirmed through responses to the Government consultation 'Resolving disputes in the workplace' which issued in March 2007 and closed on 20 June 2007. Most respondents commented that the tripartite structure of the tribunal was a real strength which aided decision-making in cases where considerations of context and reasonableness were important.
	There was also support in the consultation for employment judges to sit alone in determining cases involving issues of a purely legal nature and in straightforward monetary cases, where the practical experience of the workplace that lay members bring to the tribunal's deliberations is of less relevance. Additionally, over 70 per cent. of respondents to the consultation supported the introduction of a new, swift approach to dealing with straightforward claims, where cases could be determined by an employment judge, with the consent of the parties, on the basis of the papers.
	Responding to these findings in the consultation process, the Government proposes to develop further the good practice which already exists within the tribunals by establishing a fast-track system for dealing with simple monetary claims. The fast-track system will involve five jurisdictions where claims potentially raise straightforward issues and therefore potentially could be determined without the need for a tribunal hearing. The jurisdictions considered suitable for the fast track are:
	unlawful deductions from wages
	breach of contract
	redundancy pay
	holiday pay
	the national minimum wage
	Claims falling within these jurisdictions that are combined with other jurisdictions outside the list will not be eligible for a fast-track determination.
	The Government envisage that employment judges will make an early analysis of claims falling within these jurisdictions and form a view as to whether the case is suitable for (a) determination based on the documents, or (b) whether the issues raised are more suitable for a hearing, and if the latter, whether lay members need to be present. Where a case falls into category (a) the employment judge will write to the parties informing them that in his or her opinion the case could be determined on the basis of documents, but advising the parties that they have a right to a hearing. If the parties are content for the case to be determined without a hearing, a written determination will be made. If one of the parties requests a hearing, the case will be heard either by an employment judge sitting alone or before a full tribunal. Where complex issues are raised, the case would be heard by a three-member tribunal.
	The fast-track potentially benefits both parties by enabling them to resolve straightforward issues quickly and efficiently, reducing unnecessary burdens on the parties' time and, where they agree to a determination without a hearing, saving them from costs associated with attendance at or representation at tribunal hearings.
	The Government remain committed to the tripartite nature of tribunals and recognise the important role which lay members play. Provisions in the Employment Bill will not impact on these valuable and trusted arrangements other than as outlined above.

UK Trade and Investment: Europe

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform how many UK Trade and Investment staff there are at each UK embassy in Europe; how many posts at each embassy are to be discontinued; and what are the expected resulting cost savings.

Gareth Thomas: The number of people (full-time equivalents) engaged on UK Trade and Investment business at each embassy in Europe(1) is as follows:
	(1) 27 EU member states
	
		
			   Number 
			 Austria 4.13 
			 Belgium/Luxembourg 13.8 
			 Bulgaria 4 
			 Croatia 4.1 
			 Czech Republic 11.47 
			 Cyprus 3.15 
			 Denmark 10.75 
			 Estonia 5.8 
			 Finland 8.85 
			 France 41.88 
			 Germany 45.9 
			 Greece 6.2 
			 Hungary 11.04 
			 Ireland 11.35 
			 Italy 19.39 
			 Latvia 3.2 
			 Lithuania 3.2 
			 Malta 2.5 
			 Netherlands 9.8 
			 Poland 17 
			 Portugal 12 
			 Romania 8.5 
			 Slovakia 4.39 
			 Slovenia 3.15 
			 Spain 30.5 
		
	
	UK Trade and Investment reviews its overseas network resource on an ongoing basis to ensure it is deployed appropriately in support of the objectives in its strategy Prosperity in a Changing World, published in July 2006, and to achieve efficiency savings. The number of posts in each UK embassy in Europe to be discontinued as a result of this work, and the resulting cost savings, remains to be determined but UKTI is currently seeking efficiency savings of 4.4 million overall from its overseas network.

Union Modernisation Fund

Andrew Tyrie: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform pursuant to the answer of 18 December 2007,  Official Report, column 1480W, on the union modernisation fund, what the membership is of the independent supervisory board; and by what criteria they were appointed.

Patrick McFadden: The members of the Independent Supervisory Board are: Sir Bill Connor, Bruce Warman, Willy Brown, Jeannie Drake, Danny Carrigan and Adrian Askew.
	Members of the Supervisory Board were selected by open competition. Recruitment was conducted in accordance with the Commissioner for Public Appointments' Code of Practice for Ministerial Appointments to Public Bodies, with support from the Office of the Commissioner for Public appointments (OCPA). The Nolan Principles of Public Life, which are the foundations of the public appointments process and provide guidance on the standards expected of public appointees, applied to these appointments.
	The applicants were assessed against the following criteria:
	team working skills;
	knowledge of trade union modernisation issues and the broader employment relations context;
	experience of working in or with trade unions; and
	Analytical skills and judgment.

Union Modernisation Fund: Audit

Andrew Tyrie: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Peterborough (Mr. Jackson) of 23 January 2008,  Official Report, column 2036W, on the union modernisation fund: audit, if he will place in the Library a copy of each independent accountant's report produced so far for each completed project.

Patrick McFadden: The independent accountant is appointed in accordance with the Standardised Terms of Engagement as published on the BERR website:
	http://www.berr.gov.uk/files/file31695.pdf
	Under these terms the independent accountants' reports are commercially confidential between the Department, the grant recipient and the accountant.

Video Games

Bill Olner: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what estimate he has made of the market share of UK computer games developers in  (a) the UK,  (b) the US and  (c) Europe in 2006-07.

Malcolm Wicks: The Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform does not currently have access to figures giving the share of UK games developers of markets in Europe and the US in 2006-07. However, we are aware the market analysts ChartTrack estimate that in 2007 UK developers' share of the UK video games market was 19.2 per cent.
	To help address the lack of reliable data available on the UK computer games industry, in October 2007 UK Trade and Investment published Playing for Keeps, a report by independent consultants Games Investor which includes a range of valuable new data on the competitiveness of the UK games sector compared to key competitor territories including the US and Canada. This research confirmed that the UK had the second largest number of games development studios, after the US, and was the fourth most revenue generative games development market in the world.

Video Games: Research

Bill Olner: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what estimate he has made of the average proportion of turnover invested in research and development by UK companies in the computer games development sector.

Malcolm Wicks: Very few figures for investment in research and development (R and D) by UK companies in the computer games sector are currently collected.
	The 2007 R and D Scoreboard published by DIUS and BERR lists the top 850 UK companies from all sectors by R and D investment. The list includes only companies who publish their annual reports and who then specify their R and D spend in those reports. Three games companies appear in the scoreboard as follows:
	
		
			  Company name  R  and  D spend ( million)  As a percentage of sales 
			 Sci Entertainment 58.00 19.4 
			 Sony Computer Entertainment Europe 55.85 15.5 
			 Empire Interactive 6.82 32.1 
		
	
	This sample is too small to calculate a reliable average R and D spend for the UK games development sector which comprises some 160 studios, the vast majority of which employ fewer than 100 staff.

Wind Power

Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform if he will make an estimate of  (a) how much wind energy the National Grid can manage and  (b) the total capacity of wind the UK can absorb for energy use.

Malcolm Wicks: The information requested is as follows.
	 (a) Work by National Grid indicates that there are no major technical barriers to accommodating wind on the GB electricity system. The costs associated with maintaining system balancing and system reliability will, however, be important considerations. All indications are that the GB's electricity networks can operate reliably with high penetrations of wind and other intermittent forms of renewable generation.
	 (b) Limitations to the amount of energy from renewable sources that can be used (i.e. supplied to consumers) are principally dependent on levels of demand in relation to the amount of renewable electricity being produced. This is not currently an issue, but looking forward to much higher levels of wind generation it is possible that potential wind generation may exceed demand for some periods. The implications of this will be considered during the development of the Renewable Energy Strategy.

Wind Power: Housing

Mark Prisk: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what is the minimum permitted distance from housing at which windfarms may be constructed in England and Wales; and what studies of comparable standards in Germany have been undertaken.

Malcolm Wicks: The Department has not issued standards on specific minimum distances between wind farms and occupied buildings. The distances that will be appropriate will depend on the particulars of each case and issues such as expected noise levels, visual impact and safety requirements. Guidance on these matters in England is provided in the Companion Guide to Planning Policy Statement 22 on Renewable Energy. No comparative studies with Germany have been undertaken.

Winter Fuel Payments

Martin Salter: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what recent representations he has received on raising the winter fuel allowance.

Mike O'Brien: I have been asked to reply
	There have been a number of representations on increasing the Winter Fuel Payment. These have been in the form of correspondence and parliamentary questions.

INNOVATION, UNIVERSITIES AND SKILLS

Ambient Assisted Living

John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills what his policy is on participating in ambient assisted living projects at EU level; and if he will make a statement.

Ian Pearson: The UK supports the objectives of the European Commission proposal under Article 169 of the EC treaty for the Joint Programme for Ambient Assisted Living (AAL), which are to support applied research and the demonstration of potential AAL solutions for the elderly in their home/ambient environment through effective co-ordination between national support schemes.
	Negotiations are currently progressing under the co-decision procedure in the council and the European Parliament. The UK has indicated it will participate. UK enterprises participating in successful projects will be funded via the Assisted Living Innovation Platform recently established by the Technology Strategy Board.

Apprentices: Admissions

John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills what the entry requirement is for a programme-led apprenticeship in each subject.

David Lammy: There are no set national entry requirements for a programme-led apprenticeship. Any entry requirement would be set by the institution providing the learning based on its assessment of an individual's prospects of completing.
	As set out in World-class Apprenticeships: Unlocking Talent, Building Skills for All published on 28 January 2008, a young person will need to meet a new minimum entry threshold to qualify for the entitlement to an apprenticeship place from 2013. This new threshold will apply to learners in the entitlement group who are placed in a programme-led apprenticeship because no employed apprenticeship place is immediately available.

Departmental Data Protection

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills whether personal data for which his Department is responsible are  (a) stored and  (b) processed overseas; and if he will make a statement.

David Lammy: The information is as follows:
	 (a) As far as we are aware, none.
	 (b) As far as we are aware, none.

Departmental Data Protection

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills what obligations his Department and its agencies place on contractors in relation to the audit of personal data and IT equipment.

David Lammy: Any requirements placed on contractors in relation to the audit of personal data and IT equipment would be included in the contractual terms for the specified service, which would include compliance with HMG and departmental security policies.

Departmental Data Protection

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills what audits his Department and its agencies have carried out in relation to personal data and IT equipment in each of the last 10 years.

David Lammy: The Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS) was created by the Prime Minister on 28 June 2007.
	Since the creation of the Department, no formal audit of personal data has yet been completed.
	Auditing of the service provider's IT equipment is the contractual responsibility of the service provider.

Departmental Manpower

John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills how many people are employed by his Department as apprentices.

David Lammy: The Department has five staff undertaking Advanced Apprenticeships and one undertaking an Apprenticeship. This arrangement was set up by the Department for Education and Skills (DfES) which predates the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills set up in the recent Machinery of Government changes.

Departmental Marketing

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills how many posters or displays there are in the offices of his Department and its agencies displaying the names and photographs of Ministers; and what the cost has been of producing such posters or displays since it was established.

David Lammy: One photographic panel has been produced at a cost of approximately 500.

Departmental Ministerial Policy Advisers

David Willetts: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills 
	(1)  what the name is of each special adviser in his Department;
	(2)  what the estimated cost is of  (a) expenses,  (b) salary,  (c) office space,  (d) administrative support and  (e) special advisers for the two new Ministers of State in his Department in 2007-08.

David Lammy: I refer the hon. Member to the written statement from my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 22 November 2007,  Official Report, column 148WS.

Departmental Ministerial Policy Advisers

Charles Walker: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills if he will list the special advisers employed in his Department and its predecessor since 6 May 1997; and what the  (a) start and  (b) end date of employment was in each case.

David Lammy: Since 2003, the Government have published on an annual basis the names and numbers of special advisers in each pay band. For the most recent information I refer the hon. Member to the statement made by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 22 November 2007,  Official Report, columns147-50WS.

Departmental Pay

Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills how many people in his Department and its predecessors earned over 100,000 in each year since 1997.

David Lammy: The Department was created as a result of the June 2007 Machinery of Government changes and no employees have earned over 100,000. Information on predecessor Departments is listed in the answer given to the hon. Member on 27 November 2007,  Official Report, column 381W.

Departmental Recruitment

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills whether the policy of British jobs for British workers will affect his Department's recruitment policy.

David Lammy: As a new department, created from elements of BERR (formerly DTI) and DCSF (formerly DfES) DIUS is in the process of defining, consulting and communicating Department-specific policies and procedures. Recruitment and selection policies will be part of this project and will be established in 2008. In the meantime the policies of the two former Departments are maintained supported by interim guidance notes for managers.
	This guidance and the formal policies ensure that the following points are taken into account when filling posts within DIUS:
	1. The need to utilise, wherever possible, surplus staff in the civil service. This requires that suitably qualified and experienced civil servants are given opportunities to apply for new jobs, prior to them being advertised externally. This ensures that human resources are used as efficiently as possible and saves on severance and recruitment costs.
	2. The adherence to rules governing nationality and the right to take up employment in the UK civil service. These rules require that applicants for any job in the civil service must be a UK national or have dual nationality with one part being British.
	In addition, about 75 per cent. of civil service posts are open to Commonwealth citizens and nationals of any of the member states of the European economic area (EEA). The remainder, which require special allegiance to the state, are reserved for UK nationals. This includes most fast stream posts. Please see
	www.civilservice.gov.uk/documents/pdf/nationality/AnnexA_Nationality_Rules.pdf.
	3. The need to be compliant with all laws governing equal opportunities.
	4. The importance of diversity in the work force.
	Adhering to these principles will ensure that DIUS has a diverse work force, while complying with all legal requirements.

Education

John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills which further and higher educational establishments have opened teaching centres overseas; what estimate he has made of the annual revenue from such centres; and if he will make a statement.

Bill Rammell: Further and higher education institutions are independent and autonomous institutions and the Department does not hold records of establishments which have opened teaching centres overseas.

Education

Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills what assessment he has made of the effect of non-accredited learning on  (a) health,  (b) educational aspirations within families and  (c) social inclusion.

Bill Rammell: We recognise the many wider benefits of participation in non-accredited learning and its vital contribution to improving personal health and wellbeing, raising confidence and self-esteem, engaging families in learning, and developing stronger communities.
	These courses offer social and economic benefits for people of all ages and backgrounds, including the most vulnerable families, marginalised groups and those at risk from offending behaviour. They help adults and children to learn together, helping to change attitudes to learning and widening participation across the community by promoting a positive learning culture, where learning is seen as attractive and relevant. They also have well-documented spin-off benefits in terms of reduced calls on health and social services budgets. People who keep mentally and physically active not only live longer but live happier and more fulfilled lives, and pursuing learning can play a real part in this.
	We want to continue to raise people's aspirations and significantly broaden participation, progression and achievement in learning by creating the best learning offer possible and enabling individuals and communities to improve and prosper. Our Skills and Skills for Life Strategies, the Employability Skills Programme and projects like Skilled for Health, together with our decision to extend the Personal and Community Development Learning budget safeguard at 210 million per annum through to 2010/11, will ensure the continuing availability of a wide range of suitable learning opportunities in every area.
	My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills launched a consultation on Informal Adult Learning on 15 January 2008. Through this consultation we will work with other Government Departments, with partners and stakeholders, and with learners themselves, to look at how this learning is funded and delivered to improve social cohesion and progression, focus on disadvantage and engage new learners.

Educational Institutions: Religion

David Willetts: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills whether funds were paid to  (a) Jewish,  (b) Muslim and  (c) Christian seminaries by his Department's predecessors between 1997 and 2001.

Bill Rammell: The Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills does not hold information on any funding that might have been paid to Jewish, Muslim or Christian seminaries by its predecessor Departments between 1997 and 2001.

Employment Agencies

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills how much his Department paid to recruitment agencies in relation to departmental appointments in each year since 1997.

David Lammy: DIUS was created by Machinery of Government Changes in July 2008 from elements of the then Department of Trade and Industry and Department for Education and Skills.
	DIUS is currently undertaking a project to define document and agree a single set of policies and procedures. Until such time as these are defined, the policies of an employee's former Department (DTI/DfES) remain in force.
	These policies allow for staff to report any cases of harassment to line management, trade union representatives, a confidential counselling service or HR.
	During the period in which DIUS has existed there have been no cases of complaints of sexual harassment or sexual discrimination.

English Language: Education

Mark Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills how many individuals  (a) registered for and  (b) successfully completed an English for Speakers of Other Languages approved course in England in each of the last five years.

David Lammy: The Learning and Skills Council does not break down the data to subject or level for individual learners as some learners will be taking literacy/ESOL and numeracy across a number of different levels. However, the following data show all ESOL learning aims enrolled on and achieved over the last five years.
	
		
			  ESOL learning aims enrolled and achieved for the last five years 
			   Learning aims enrolled  Learning aims achieved 
			 2001-02 302,254 197,153 
			 2002-03 409,749 287,494 
			 2003-04 455,080 363,238 
			 2004-05 538,681 405,455 
			 2005-06 549,429 392,803

Forced Marriages: Victim Support Schemes

Helen Southworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills if he will ensure that information on helplines and access to support for victims of forced marriage or persons in fear of forced marriage is made available on university and college campuses.

Bill Rammell: Higher and further education institutions do provide a range of welfare support to their staff and students and, due to their status as independent organisations, specific support is determined by institutions at the local level based on individual need. However, institutions do receive guidance on welfare issues from a range of national organisations and networks. I have asked the Equality Challenge Unit, the Association of Managers of Student Services in Higher Education, the National Union of Students, and the Association of Colleges to consider how they might best provide sign-posting information on the forced marriages helpline, and other support available, to higher and further education institutions.

Higher Education: Finance

Stephen Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills what funding he has allocated in cash terms to  (a) higher education and further and continuing education funding for teaching costs only,  (b) fee grants for full-time students and fee grants for part-time students,  (c) fee loans for full-time students,  (d) maintenance loans for full-time students,  (e) maintenance grants for full-time and part-time students and  (f) access funds in each year from 2008-09 to 2010-11.

Bill Rammell: The following table sets out the funding allocated over the 2007 comprehensive spending review period for higher education (HE) and further education (FE) in the areas the hon. Gentleman requests in cash terms ( millions).
	The funding systems for FE and HE operate differently. For example in HE, support for fees is provided mainly through fee loans. In FE, fee remission is provided in full for all learners undertaking priority qualifications as well as those on limited incomes. This is reflected in the total amount of participation funding for adult FE and skills in the following table.
	
		
			   2008-09  2009-10  2010-11 
			  Higher education
			 HEFCE recurrent grant for teaching(1) 4,920 5,095 5,325 
			 
			 Fee grants for
			 Full-time students 51 3 0 
			 Part-time students 31 32 33 
			 
			 Fee loans for full-time students 1,927 2,389 2,605 
			 Maintenance loans for full-time students 2,890 3,041 3,184 
			 
			 Maintenance grants for
			 Full-time students 804 979 1,110 
			 Part-time students 15 14 15 
			 
			 HE Access to Learning Fund(2) 50   
			 
			  Further Education
			 Adult (19+) FE and Skills Participation(3) 3,215 3,306 3,599 
			 FE Learner Support Funds(4) 139 139 139 
			 (1 )As published in the HEFCE 2007 Grant Letter. (2 )The figures for the 2009-10 and 2010-11 Access to Learning Fund have not been announced yet. (3 )As published in the LSC 2007 Grant Letter. This includes teaching costs but also other costs borne by colleges in the delivery of teaching. (4 )These figures include a range of funding designed to encourage access to further education for adults, including hardship funding, child care support, and grants to adult learners.  Note:  Student support figures are for English domicile HE students.

Higher Education: Student Wastage

John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills how many applicants accepted for places in higher education were no longer enrolled onto higher education courses as first time students in each of the following years by the February of the academic year  (a) 2005,  (b) 2006 and  (c) 2007.

Bill Rammell: The available information on non-continuation in higher education is shown in the following table. These figures show proportions of UK-domiciled entrants to full-time first degree courses at higher education institutions in England, who did not continue in higher education after their first year.
	This information is taken from the annual Performance Indicators in Higher Education, which are currently published by the Higher Education Statistics Agency.
	
		
			  Proportion of UK-domiciled entrants to full-time first degree courses at English higher education institutions not continuing in higher education after their first year 
			  Academic year  Percentage not in HE after first year 
			 2002-03 9.1 
			 2003-04 9.1 
			 2004-05 8.4 
			  Source: 'Performance Indicators in Higher Education', published by HESA

Nuclear Physics

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills 
	(1)  how much  (a) capital and  (b) revenue funding has been (i) spent and (ii) allocated for each of the next three years on the large hadron collider;
	(2)  what the initial programme of activity is for the large hadron collider; what the programme's objectives are; and if he will make a statement;
	(3)  what progress has been made in commissioning and operating the large hadron collider; and if he will make a statement;
	(4)  what process is in place for British universities and organisations to bid for projects to run on the large hadron collider; and if he will make a statement;
	(5)  what assessment he has made of the merits of the large hadron collider as an instrument for scientific discovery; and if he will make a statement.

Ian Pearson: The UK is a member state of CERN, and the Science and Technology Facilities Council has responsibility for the funding of the UK's membership subscription. Most of the activities at CERN are currently directed towards building the large hadron collider (LHC), and the experiments for it, which are due to start operation later this year. A major part of the UK's CERN subscription relates to spending on the LHC.
	The total cost of the LHC facility, which comprises the underground tunnel, the machines which fire the beams of particles, and the people and resources needed to build and operate it, is estimated to be 4.7 BN CHF. The costs of the four LHC experiments, which are not considered part of the LHC, are not included in this figure.
	The following table illustrates CERN's spending on the LHC for 2004-07 and the planned expenditure in the next three financial years in millions of Swiss Francs. It also shows the UK contribution for 2004-07, and the estimated UK contributions in the next three years, to the LHC project itself, and to university groups in the UK involved in the project. The expenditure on the LHC is projected to fall as the construction nears completion.
	
		
			   2004  2005  2006  2007  2008  2009  2010 
			 LHC expenditure (MCHF) 1,236 1,276 1,131 854 732 668 653 
			 UK contribution (MCHF) 220 245 196 149 128 117 114 
			 UK contribution (million) 101 110 88 70 60 54 53 
			 Support within the UK through grants to institutions ( million) 24 21 21 26 26 28 23 
			 Total UK contribution ( million) 125 131 109 96 86 82 76 
		
	
	The objective of the LHC project is to improve our knowledge of how the universe around us works, in particular by shedding light on the nature of fundamental particles and the forces that govern them.
	Commissioning of the LHC is now proceeding according to schedule. Two of the eight sectors have been cooled to operating temperature and one of these two sectors has been commissioned to the full energy value required. Three other sectors have commenced the cool down process. Both injection lines (through which the particles will be fired) have been tested successfully and commissioning has begun of the complex electronics needed to handle the beams. All four detectors are completing installation and the LHC circular tunnel is on schedule for sealing in March/April 2008 with experiments expected to commence in July 2008.
	UK university groups are involved in each of the four collaborations that are building the experiments (known as ATLAS, CMS, LHCb and ALICE) and have played key roles in the construction of each detector.
	It is expected that the groups involved in constructing the experiments will continue to work on the programmes, enabling them to fully utilise the data each detector acquires. Funding for the university and Rutherford Appleton Laboratory staff involved in the physics programme (with associated costs and the UK contribution to maintenance of the detectors) will be provided by the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) at a level set by peer reviewtaking into account STFC's strategic objectives and the financial resources available.
	CERN issues tenders for a wide range of goods and services, from computing and electronics to cleaning. UK companies can compete for this work and in 2006 (the last year for which figures are available) UK companies won approximately 28MCHF in contracts from CERN. STFC provides links and support to UK companies wishing to bid for work at CERN through the activities of its Business Opportunities Manager and information made available on its website.

Overseas Students

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills how many colleges in England are approved to provide education for overseas students; how many such colleges have been inspected in the last five years; and if he will make a statement.

Bill Rammell: There are currently 15,044 institutions on the Register of Education and Training Providers. The Register was established on 1 January 2005, and since then, all colleges which want to recruit international students need to appear on it. The Home Office will not grant any international student leave to enter or remain in the UK unless he or she is studying at a provider on the Register.
	Since 1 January 2005, 321 colleges on the Register have been investigated by the Borders and Immigration Agency. Of these, 142 have been found to be in breach of the immigration rules, and therefore removed from the Register.

Student Loans Company: Complaints

David Willetts: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills how many complaints the Student Loans Company received in each year since it was established.

Bill Rammell: The number of complaints received by the Student Loans Company (SLC) in each financial year since the SLC has had in place a process for measuring complaints is set out in the following table.
	While the table shows that the number of complaints each year has remained broadly stable since 1997-98, complaints as a proportion of the total number of customers has fallen significantly over this period.
	
		
			  Complaints received by the Student Loans Company 1997-2007 
			  Financial year new complaint registered  Number of complaints by financial year  Total number of customers at corresponding 1 September  Complaints as a percentage of customers 
			 1997-98(1) 317 (2)1,755,986  
			 1998-99 1,197 2,028,361 0.06 
			 1999-2000 1,985 2,448,570 0.08 
			 2000-01 1,841 2,796,132 0.07 
			 2001-02 2,471 3,141,407 0.08 
			 2002-03 2,635 3,484,976 0.08 
			 2003-04 1,391 4,979,789 0.03 
			 2004/05 1,503 5,665,340 0.03 
			 2005-06 1,441 6,345,953 0.02 
			 2006-07 1,807 6,970,703 0.03 
			 Total 18,067   
			 (1) Part year (2) At 1 September 1997

Students: Fees and Charges

David Willetts: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills how many  (a) full-time and  (b) part-time (i) UK, (ii) EU and (iii) non-EU (A) undergraduate and (B) postgraduate students have been (1) excluded from using some university facilities and (2) suspended for the non-payment of fees.

Bill Rammell: The information is not held centrally.

Students: Loans

David Willetts: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills how many student loans were paid manually by the Student Loans Company in each year since 1997.

Bill Rammell: The number of manual payments made in each academic year since the Student Loans Company began recording manual payments is set out in the following table.
	The numbers generally have fallen since 1999/2000 as technical issues arising from the introduction of a national computer system to deal with student loan applications have been addressed. The increased volume in 2004/05 coincided with all local authorities processing on-line loan applications for the first time. The vast majority of payments are made by automated transfer. In 2006/07 these amounted to 925,000 payments.
	
		
			  Number of manual student loans paid to borrowers by the SLC 
			  Academic year  Number of manual payments 
			 1998/99(1) 30 
			 1999/2000 9,253 
			 2000/01 9,260 
			 2001/02 6,032 
			 (1) Part year

Students: Loans

Stephen Hesford: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills what the average amount of debt of a student on graduation was at the most recent date for which figures are available; and what steps his Department plans to take to improve financial advice for students commencing their studies, with particular reference to advice on arrangements for repaying loans.

Bill Rammell: For students who entered higher education in the 2006/07 academic year, we expect their average level of debt on graduation to be around 15,000.
	Student loans have very different features to commercial loans. Graduates repay only once they are in work and only when their annual income reaches 15,000. Interest is charged at the rate of inflation, so students only pay back in real terms the amount they originally borrowed.
	In July we announced plans to introduce greater flexibility in the repayment of student loans by allowing borrowers to take repayment holidays of up to five years.
	A generous package of support is available to students, particularly those from low incomes, who receive maintenance grants of up to 2,700 per annum. From 2008/09 onwards, around two-thirds of new full-time entrants to higher education will be eligible for a full or partial grantcompared to just over a half now.
	There is a range of promotional material about student finance for potential students and their advisers, such as the Aimhigher Student Finance 'How to Get Financial Help' booklet. This includes general information about both the type of financial help on offer and an overview of the arrangements for repaying loans.
	The Student Loans Company (SLC) also provides a range of published material. It issues 'A Guide to Financial Support for Higher Education Students' to all students prior to taking out a loan, and then sends borrowers an updated version annually. When a loan is taken out the SLC offers further guidance in its booklet 'Student Loans Terms and Conditions'. Both publications include information about repayment arrangements. In addition, the SLC provides a range of guidance materials to help borrowers who are entering into repayment to understand the arrangements for repaying their loans. And its website, www.slc.co.uk, contains a section on repayment that students and potential students can access at any time.
	The SLC is currently reviewing the range of guidance materials it provides with the aim of improving the information provided on arrangements for repaying loans.

Students: Orphans

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills what additional financial support is available to undergraduate students who have been orphaned; and if he will make a statement.

Bill Rammell: There are no loans or grants that are specifically available to undergraduate students who have been orphaned; they are eligible for the same support package as any other undergraduate student. However, students who are eligible for support and whose natural or adoptive parents have both died are treated as independent students for the purposes of the Student Support Regulations. Entitlement to support will be based upon the student's income only, if he or she has any. This means that such students are likely to be eligible for a higher level of support than students whose household income includes the income of their parents or where appropriate, the income of a student's husband, wife or partner. And if necessary, they can apply for additional help from the Access to Learning Fund, available from their university or college.

Teachers: Training

David Willetts: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills what proportion of participants dropped out of teacher training courses in each of the last three years, broken down by age.

Jim Knight: I have been asked to reply.
	The proportion of participants who dropped out of teacher training course is not collected centrally.
	Complete data are collected for final year trainees and the number of trainees who leave their course during this final year are recorded. The following table shows the proportion of trainees in their final year for both mainstream and Employment Based Initial Teacher Training (EBITT) courses who have left before the end of their Initial Teacher Training (ITT) course for the past three years for which data are available, broken down by age.
	
		
			  Final year drop out 
			2003-04  2004-05  2005-06 
			  Age   Mainstream  EBITT  Mainstream  EBITT  Mainstream  EBITT 
			 Under 25 Number of trainees leaving course in final year 440 10 420 20 420 40 
			  Percentage of all final year trainees for this age breakdown leaving course 3 4 3 2 3 4 
			 
			 25-29 Number of trainees leaving course in final year 360 110 380 70 280 100 
			  Percentage of all final year trainees for this age breakdown leaving course 5 7 5 3 3 5 
			 
			 30-34 Number of trainees leaving course in final year 200 90 160 40 170 70 
			  Percentage of all final year trainees for this age breakdown leaving course 6 10 5 3 6 5 
			 
			 35-39 Number of trainees leaving course in final year 170 70 160 40 130 50 
			  Percentage of all final year trainees for this age breakdown leaving course 7 10 7 4 6 6 
			 
			 40-44 Number of trainees leaving course in final year 150 70 140 50 130 60 
			  Percentage of all final year trainees for this age breakdown leaving course 8 9 7 5 7 8 
			 
			 45-49 Number of trainees leaving course in final year 90 50 100 30 100 50 
			  Percentage of all final year trainees for this age breakdown leaving course 10 11 11 5 10 9 
			 
			 50-54 Number of trainees leaving course in final year 50 30 40 20 70 40 
			  Percentage of all final year trainees for this age breakdown leaving course 17 14 13 7 22 16 
			 
			 Over 55 Number of trainees leaving course in final year 20 20 10 10 20 20 
			  Percentage of all final year trainees for this age breakdown leaving course 20 26 18 9 17 26 
			 
			 Total Number of trainees leaving course in final year 1,470 440 1,410 260 1,310 420 
			  Percentage of all final year trainees leaving course 5 9 5 4 4 6 
			  Notes: 1. Mainstream includes universities and other higher education institutions, SCITT and OU, but excludes employment based routes. 2. Performance profiles data are collected at the end of a trainees' first year, therefore 2006-07 data are collected in autumn 2007 and will be published in July 2008. 3. Trainees taking the assessment only are not included in the table. 4. Teach First trainees are included in EBITT in the table, however the age of final year Teach First trainees was not collected prior to 2005-06, therefore only 2005-06 data include the age break down of Teach First trainees. 5. Overseas Trained Teacher Programme (OTTP) trainees are included in EBITT in the table, however the age of final year OTTP trainees was not collected prior to 2004-05, therefore only 2004-05 and 2005-06 data include the age break down of OTTP trainees.  Source: TDA's Performance Profiles

Trade Unions

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills what meetings he has had with trades union officials since 1 July 2007; on what dates; and with which trades unions.

David Lammy: Ministers meet many people as part of the process of policy development. It is not normal practice to disclose details of such meetings.

Vocational Training: Expenditure

Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills what proportion of the additional support budget of the Train to Gain programme was spent in each English region by the Learning and Skills Council in 2006-07.

David Lammy: I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the Member for South Holland and The Deepings (Mr. Hayes) on 12 November 2007,  Official Report, column 57W.

HOME DEPARTMENT

Animal Experiments

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress has been made since the ministerial letter of 31 January 2006 responding to the recommendations of the Animal Procedures Committee's 2005 report on the Statistics of Scientific Procedures on Living Animals on the commitment to liaise with the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety for Northern Ireland with the aim of amalgamating the statistics for Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

Meg Hillier: We plan to make a final decision on this issue in time for the publication of the Statistics of Scientific Procedures on Living Animals 2007.

Antisocial Behaviour Orders

Stephen Hesford: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many anti-social behaviour orders have been placed on individuals living in Wirral, West constituency in the last two years; on what grounds each was imposed; and how many such orders were breached.

Vernon Coaker: Antisocial behaviour order (ASBO) data for 2004 and 2005 (latest available) for the Merseyside CJS area in which the Wirral, West constituency lies can be found in the following table. Information on the grounds on which ASBOs are imposed is not collated centrally. ASBO data do not identify the constituency in which an ASBO is issued or breached.
	
		
			  N umber of ASBOs issued and breached in the Merseyside CJS area, 2004 and 2005 
			  Merseyside CJS area  2004  2005 
			 ASBOs issued 96 128 
			 ASBOs breached(1, 2) 43 70 
			 (1) ASBOs may be issued in one area and breached in another. Breaches are counted in this table on area of issue. (2 )ASBOs may be breached more than once and in more than one year. In this table ASBOs are counted once only within the period when they were first breached. Hence the ASBOs listed as breached in 2004 and 2005 may have been issued in earlier years.  Note:  Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by the courts. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used. Ref: ASBO 08-08  Source:  OCJR Court Proceedings Database

Asylum

James Clappison: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress has been made by her Department in responding to the key findings of the National Audit Office report Asylum and migration: a review of Home Office statistics (HC (2003-04) 625) of 25 May 2004.

Liam Byrne: holding answer 17 January 2008
	 The asylum and immigration statistics are
	produced to high professional standards set out in the National Statistics Code of Practice. They undergo regular quality assurance reviews to ensure that they meet customer needs. They are produced free from any political influence.
	The National Audit Office (NAO) report concluded that asylum data and statistics are in most respects reliable. Home Office statisticians continue to quality assure the asylum statistics and to expand their range to provide a broader picture of the asylum process, as can be seen from the published statistics.
	A National Statistics Quality Review was conducted in 2006 on the Control of Immigration: United Kingdom publications (as is required by the National Statistics code of practice). This review and the Home Office's implementation plan are available from the Library of the House and from the National Statistics website:
	http://www.statistics.gov.uk/about/data/methodology/quality/reviews/population.asp.
	The Border and Immigration Agency is currently reviewing what asylum and migration statistics are produced and published, and the frequency of the publications. This review was signalled by the Home Secretary in the House of Commons on 9 July 2007.
	Copies of these publications are available from the Library of the House and from the Home Office Research, Development and Statistics website at:
	http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration1.html.

Asylum

Andrew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent representations she has received on granting amnesty for asylum seekers without a record of illegal activity who have been in the UK for over 10 years.

Liam Byrne: holding answer 6 February 2008
	 The information requested is not collated and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Asylum: Afghanistan

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many Afghan nationals were granted asylum in  (a) 2007 and  (b) each of the 10 previous years.

Liam Byrne: Provisional information on Afghan nationals granted asylum in 2007 will be published in the Q4 2007 Asylum Bulletin on 26 February 2008. Information on asylum decisions is published in quarterly web pages and in the annual statistical bulletin Asylum Statistics United Kingdom. Copies of these publications and others relating to immigration to the UK are available from the Library of the House and from the Home Office Research, Development and Statistics Directorate website at:
	http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration1.html

Asylum: Housing

Joan Ryan: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many  (a) asylum applications originated and  (b) asylum seekers were housed in Enfield in (i) 1997 and (ii) 2007.

Liam Byrne: Information on numbers of asylum applications relating to particular areas of the UK are unavailable. Statistics on the location of asylum seekers in the UK are linked to the available information on those asylum seekers in receipt of support. Not all asylum seekers are eligible for asylum support.
	The numbers of asylum seekers in receipt of support, broken down by Government office region and local authority, are available from December 2002 onwards. These statistics are published on a quarterly and annual basis. Copies of these publications are available from the Home Office Research, Development and Statistics website at:
	http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration1.html.
	Further breakdowns, of those in receipt of support by parliamentary constituency, are also available from the Library of the House.

Beatrice Guessie

Louise Ellman: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when she expects the investigation into the treatment of Beatrice Guessie to be completed.

Liam Byrne: holding answer 4 February 2008
	 I have been informed that the investigation into the treatment of Beatrice Guessie has now been completed. I am unable to comment until the findings have been published.

Biometrics

Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the Government have statutory powers to share information held on biometric immigration documents and identity cards issued to foreign nationals resident in the United Kingdom with  (a) the national's own government,  (b) other national governments other than the person's own and  (c) international and non-governmental security-related organisations such as Interpol; and if she will make a statement.

Liam Byrne: The Secretary of State has the power to share information with other countries and international organisations, provided this is done compatibly with the safeguards of the Data Protection Act 1998 and the Human Rights Act 1998. When the identity cards for foreign nationals are rolled out from this year, information provided can be shared, subject to these key safeguards.
	The UK Borders Act 2007 enables the Secretary of State to make regulations requiring a foreign national to apply for a biometric documentthe identity card for foreign nationals. By regulations made under section 8, the Secretary of State may use biometric information collected as part of the application for the card for any of the specified purposes including the prevention, investigation or prosecution of an offence or to protect national security.
	Regulations under section 8 also preserve the ability of the Secretary of State to share biometric information relying on her Common Law powers.
	Additionally, the Secretary of State will be able, as now, to share non-biometric information under her existing Common Law powers.
	Where it is right to do so, the Secretary of State is able to share information with other governments and international organisations.

Biometrics

Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what statutory authority the Government have to hold the biometric details and other information relating to foreign nationals who have been issued with biometric information documents and identity cards in the United Kingdom when such nationals are no longer resident in the UK.

Liam Byrne: The Secretary of State has the power, by regulations made under section 8 of the UK Borders Act 2007, to retain biometric information about foreign nationals who have applied for a biometric immigration documentan identity card for foreign nationalseven if they leave the UK. The Secretary of State may also retain biographical information about foreign nationals who are subject to immigration control after they have left the UK, under her Common Law powers, provided this is done compatibly with the safeguards of the Data Protection Act 1998 and the Human Rights Act 1998. It is essential to retain this information, for example, to identify those who may seek to abuse immigration control by seeking to return to the UK with a false identity.

Biometrics

Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether her Department plans to keep the  (a) biometric and  (b) other information held on biometric immigration documents and identity cards issued to foreign nationals after the individual is no longer resident in the United Kingdom.

Liam Byrne: The Secretary of State will retain the biometric information provided by those who apply for an identity card for foreign nationals for as long as the Secretary of State thinks the information is likely to be of use for any of the purposes specified under section 8(2) of the UK Borders Act 2007. That will, in all likelihood, include retaining such information even after an individual has left the UK. Where a foreign national becomes a British citizen, the Secretary of State is required to destroy the biometric information in her possession unless it is to be retained and used for the purposes of another Act of Parliament.
	The Secretary of State will be able, as now, to retain and use non-biometric biographical information provided by foreign nationals under her Common Law powers, provided that this is compatible with the requirements of the Data Protection Act 1998 and the Human Rights Act 1998. This is the case even where the foreign national leaves the UK.

Border and Immigration Agency: Databases

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent estimate she has made of the error rate in each of the databases operated by the Border and Immigration Agency.

Liam Byrne: Within the context of this question, 'error rate' is considered to relate to data accuracy within each database.
	This information is not held centrally and cannot be provided from current information available.
	However, there are controls in place to safeguard against certain errors and to help prevent them occurring. Where errors are identified, prompt and robust remedial action is implemented.
	In order to prevent data being captured which are inaccurate or incomplete (often keystroke errors), it is conventional to provide data capture forms that have as few 'free text' fields as possible to limit the possible occasions of input data error.
	All core systems within BIA are subject to quarterly data audits by our data bureau, a third party supplier, overseen by Home Office IT officials where appropriate corrective actions are implemented as needed. Using root cause analysis, such errors are identified, analysed and remedied.
	Following advice from the Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO), this statement is included as supporting information:
	written ministerial statement of 21 November 2007,  Official Report, column 1179 notes that the review by the Cabinet Secretary and security experts is looking at procedures within Departments and agencies for the storage and use of data. A statement on Departments' procedures will be made on completion of the review. An interim progress report on the review was published by the Cabinet Office through a written ministerial statement on 17 December 2007,  Official Report, column 98WS. This included a recommendation regarding enhanced transparency with Parliament, and the public about action to safeguard information and the results of that action, through publication of results departmental annual reports and an annual report to Parliament.

Border and Immigration Agency

Andrew MacKinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  what the reasons are for the time taken by the Borders and Immigration Agency to reply to the request made by the appellant in case number 15A/1510/2007, despatched by special delivery on 26 September 2007 (ZU 5490 3847 8GB) and delivered on 29 September 2007 (DL 8504 23545GB); and if she will make a statement;
	(2)  if she will make available a copy of the letter dated 27 August 1998 which was despatched from Beckett House to the appellant in case number ISA/15110/2007 to  (a) the appellant and  (b) the hon. Member for Thurrock before the hearing on 31st January; and if she will make a statement.

Liam Byrne: holding answer 24 January 2008
	I wrote to the hon. Member on 4 February 2008.

British Nationality

Mark Pritchard: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many naturalised UK citizens have had their citizenship revoked since 1997.

Liam Byrne: holding answer 7 February 2008
	One naturalised British citizen has been deprived of that citizenship since 1997. In addition one person who was registered as a British citizen had his citizenship removed in 2006.

Burglar Alarms

David Ruffley: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many burglar alarm activations were responded to by the Metropolitan Police in each of the last five years; and how many turned out to be false alarms.

Tony McNulty: The information requested is not centrally available.

Christmas

Anne Milton: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much her Department's agencies spent on  (a) Christmas cards and  (b) postage of Christmas cards in each year since 1997.

Liam Byrne: The amount spent on  (a) Christmas cards and  (b) postage since 1997 is as follows:
	 Border and Immigration Agency
	Information concerning the  (a) cost and  (b) postage of Christmas cards from the Border and Immigration Agency for each year since 1997 is not known centrally and would be available only at disproportionate cost.
	 Criminal Records Bureau
	 (a) The costs for Christmas cards from the Criminal Records Bureau for each year since 2003 are as follows:
	
		
			
			 2003 558.32 
			 2004 786.14 
			 2005 679.59 
			 2006 578.38 
			 2007 757.76 
		
	
	The Criminal Records Bureau's Disclosure service was launched in 2002 and no information is held on costs incurred before or during 2002.
	 (b) Spend on postage of Christmas cards is not separated from spend of all Criminal Records Bureau mail and therefore is not calculable.
	 Identity and Passport Service
	 (a) The costs for Christmas cards from the Identity and Passport Service for each year since 2005 are as follows:
	
		
			
			 1997 to 2004 (1) 
			 2005 1,280 
			 2006 1,030 
			 (1) No information held centrally 
		
	
	 (b) Spend on postage of Christmas cards is not separated from spend of all Identity and Passport Service mail and therefore is not calculable.

Commissioner of Police for the Metropolis

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 26 November 2007,  Official Report, column 180W, on the Commissioner of Police for the Metropolis, for what reasons she did not provide the information requested in the question; and if she will make a statement.

Tony McNulty: My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary and I have regular meetings with the Metropolitan police commissioner to discuss official business.

Crime: Darlington

Alan Milburn: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what trends there have been in crime detection rates in Darlington over  (a) the last 12 months and  (b) the last five years.

Vernon Coaker: The information requested is not available centrally for Darlington. While detections data are available for basic command units, there are currently only two in the Durham police force area, north and south Durham.

Crime: Darlington

Alan Milburn: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the change has been in crime rates by category of offence in Darlington in  (a) the last year and  (b) the last five years.

Vernon Coaker: The available information relates to percentage changes in crimes recorded in the Darlington crime and disorder reduction partnership area and is given in the following table. Data for 2001-02 are not directly comparable with those for later years and therefore the percentage change between 2002-03 and 2006-07 has been provided.
	
		
			  Percentage change in offences recorded by the police in Darlington 
			   Percentage change between 
			  Offence group  2002-03 and 2006-07  2005-06 and 2006-07 
			 Violence against the person 27 5 
			 Sexual offences -19 -19 
			 Robbery -30 -23 
			 Burglary -17 -19 
			 Offences against vehicle 19 4 
			 Other theft offences -16 -2 
			 Fraud and forgery -53 -33 
			 Criminal damage 16 5 
			 Drug offences 35 -6 
			 Other miscellaneous offence 21 7 
			 Total 3 -2

Crime: Genetics

Ian Gibson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if she will undertake an investigation into the Forensic Science Service's use of DNA testing in criminal investigations.

Meg Hillier: The Interim Forensic Science Regulator commissioned a scientific review of low template forensic DNA profiling, which includes the Forensic Science Service's Low Copy Number DNA profiling service. The review, which is being led by Professor Brian Caddy of Strathclyde University, is due to report at the end of February.

Crimes of Violence

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate her Department has made of the number of violent crimes committed  (a) in and  (b) immediately outside pubs and clubs in each year since 1997.

Vernon Coaker: holding answer 6 February 2008
	The British Crime Survey (BCS) routinely provides information on the location of violent incidents in England and Wales.
	BCS interviews for 2005-06 showed 17 per cent. of violent incidents took place around pubs or clubs (this includes inside the premises or on the street/car park outside). The following table gives the numbers since the 1997 BCS.
	
		
			  Location of violent incidents (BCS) 
			  Percentage 
			   All violence 
			   1997  1999  2001-02  2002-03  2003-04  2004-05  2005-06 
			 Pub or club(1) 22 20 21 20 21 22 17 
			 Unweighted base 1,012 1,130 1,361 1,537 1,540 1,612 1,631 
			 (1) Includes pub/club premises, whether inside or nearby street/car parks.

Crimes of Violence: Greater London

Boris Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many crimes were committed in public parks in each Greater London borough  (a) in total and  (b) where the victim was female in each year since 2000.

Vernon Coaker: The information requested is not collected centrally. Offences which take place in public parks cannot be separately identified in the recorded crime statistics.

Crimes of Violence: Schools

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many pupils were arrested in each of the last five years for violent offences in schools in  (a) England and Wales,  (b) the north east,  (c) Tees Valley district and  (d) Middlesbrough, South and East Cleveland constituency.

Vernon Coaker: The information requested is not centrally available.

Criminal Records Bureau

Geoffrey Cox: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the average time was for a Criminal Records Bureau check to be made from the date of application in the most recent period for which figures are available.

Meg Hillier: The CRB operates to a set of published service standards (PSS) which include to issue 90 per cent. of Standard Disclosures within 10 days and 90 per cent. of Enhanced Disclosures within 28 days. Between April 2007 and December 2007 the CRB has issued 228,728 Standard Disclosures and 2,272,369 Enhanced Disclosures.
	During this period the CRB has exceeded PSS with a cumulative total of 99.7 per cent. of Standard Disclosures issued within 10 days and 96.6 per cent. of Enhanced disclosures issued within 28 days.

Delivery Services

Alistair Carmichael: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which companies are under contract to her Department to provide mail services.

Liam Byrne: The Department does not hold central courier contracts nor is information held centrally on all the couriers it uses. Firms which have been used by the Department or its agencies either regularly or from time to time include:
	Royal Mail Special Deliveries
	Data Express
	Transworld Couriers
	City Link
	Amtrak (Netfold)
	CDS
	DHL
	A to Z Couriers
	Secure Mail Services
	Captain Courier
	DX Network Services Ltd.
	Hansam Couriers
	TNT UK Ltd.
	City Sprint (UK) Ltd.
	Rico Logistics
	Federal Express
	Swift Despatch
	Ecosse World Express.

Departmental Carbon Emissions

Fraser Kemp: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps she has taken to reduce her Department's carbon dioxide emissions in 2008-09.

Liam Byrne: In line with the targets within the sustainable operations on the government estate framework my department has implemented a number of initiatives that should reduce carbon dioxide emissions in 2008-09. For example further improvements in data capture and performance measurement through the introduction of new shared service facilities management contracts are expected to lead to reductions in carbon dioxide emissions.

Departmental Consultants

Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what consultancy contracts her Department issued in each year since 2005; what the  (a) value,  (b) purpose and  (c) contractor was in each case; and whether the consultant's report is publicly available in each case.

Liam Byrne: The Home Department engages consultancy firms to support and augment civil servants in the delivery of a specific range of work, including large IT development programmes and, where more cost effective, longer term service delivery programmes.
	The Department's expenditure on these services is allocated across a wide range of firms, from small, specialist companies with niche expertise and few employees, to global multinational organizations offering a broad spectrum and substantial depth of consultancy expertise.
	The Department awards contracts in competition according to the EU Procurement Directives based on value for money. The Department uses OGC framework agreements where appropriate. The use of external consultants provides the Department with specialist knowledge, skill, capacity and technical expertise that would not otherwise be available. Some expenditure is on consultants to whom we have outsourced services, such as IT.
	The Department does not hold a central record of individual contracts with external consultants showing the level of detail requested. To identify and assemble the requested details from individual records would incur disproportionate cost.
	The information held by the Home Department on the total value of spend on consultancy since 2005 is as follows:
	
		
			   
			   Financial year 
			   2005-06  2006-07 
			 HO headquarters 128,000,000 118,000,000 
			 IPS (1)10,912,741 29,870,522 
			 Total spend 138,912,741 147,870,522 
			 (1) IPS recently revised figures.

Departmental Contracts

Jim Cousins: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the  (a) objective and  (b) value was of each contract, consultancies and other services placed with (i) Deloitte  Touche, (ii) Ernst  Young, (iii) KPMG, (iv) PricewaterhouseCoopers and (v) PA Consulting by her Department and its agencies in each year since 2004-05.

Liam Byrne: The  (a) nature of all contracts, consultancies and other services placed with (i) Deloitte  Touche, (ii) Ernst  Young, (iii) KPMG, (iv) PricewaterhouseCoopers and (v) PA Consulting is the provision of advice, guidance, training and operational development and support in a broad range of areas from business change to technical analysis.
	The Home Department engages consultancy firms to support and augment civil servants in the delivery of a specific range of work, including large IT development programmes, such as PA Consulting Group's contract as development partner on the identity cards programme and, where more cost effective, longer term service delivery programmes.
	The Department awards contracts in competition according to the EU Procurement Directives based on value for money. The Department uses OGC framework agreements where appropriate. The use of external consultants provides the Department with specialist knowledge, skill, capacity and technical expertise that would not otherwise be available.
	The information held by the Home Department on the  (b) total value of contracts, in each year since 2004-05 by her Department inclusive of its agencies is as follows:
	
		
			  Home Office inc. agencies 
			   
			   2004-05  205-06  2006-07 
			 Deloitte  Touche 0 3,401,919 13,753,669 
			 Ernst  Young 36,165 415,393 4,675,868 
			 KPMG 81,800 533,045 1,873,314 
			 PricewaterhouseCoopers 2,118,055 3,769,092 4,669,861 
			 PA Consulting 19,152,349 40,329,593 36,095,960

Departmental Data Protection

Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  how many times  (a) her Department and  (b) the Border and Immigration Agency lost or misplaced databases relating to (i) British citizens and (i) foreign nationals in each of the last five years; what information, relating to how many people, was held on lost or misplaced databases; and if she will make a statement;
	(2)  how many officials in her Department are authorised to access electronic files and databases relating to an individual's  (a) immigration status,  (b) asylum application and  (c) passport application; and if she will make a statement;
	(3)  how many staff in her Department and its agencies have been  (a) investigated,  (b) disciplined and  (c) dismissed for matters relating to unauthorised or attempted unauthorised access to files or databases containing personal information in each of the last five years; and if she will make a statement;
	(4)  how many electronic and computer files her Department and its agencies lost in transit in each of the last five years; and if she will make a statement;
	(5)  how many people working for or on behalf of her Department and its agencies were  (a) investigated,  (b) disciplined and  (c) dismissed for losing or misplacing sensitive personal data in each of the last five years; and if she will make a statement;
	(6)  how many staff in her Department and its agencies were  (a) investigated,  (b) disciplined and  (c) dismissed for not following practice and protocols when handling files and databases containing personal information on members of the public in each of the last five years; and if she will make a statement.

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many electronic databases within her Department contain  (a) names,  (b) addresses,  (c) bank details and  (d) other personal information on members of the public.

Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  how many confirmed data security breaches there have been in her Department in the last 36 months; and what action was taken after each occurrence;
	(2)  what training is provided to staff in her Department and its agencies on the safe handling of data to counteract identity theft and other data security breaches.

Liam Byrne: I refer the hon. Members to the statement made by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 21 November 2007,  Official Report, column 1179W. The review by the Cabinet Secretary and security experts is looking at procedures within Departments and agencies for the storage and use of data. A statement on Departments' procedures will be made on completion of the review.

Departmental Data Protection

Jo Swinson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many confirmed security breaches of databases controlled by her Department occurred in each of the last five years; whether the breach resulted from internal or external sources in each case; how many records were compromised on each occasion; and what estimate was made of the total number of records accessible to the individuals concerned.

Liam Byrne: Except in exceptional cases, when it is in the public interest, it has been the policy of successive Governments not to comment on breaches of security.

Departmental Email

Brian Jenkins: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if she will take steps to reduce the number of hard copies of emails printed by officials in her Department.

Liam Byrne: A number of initiatives are currently in place within my Department to raise staff awareness about printing unnecessary documents, including emails. In particular Home Office staff are encouraged to avoid printing emails by including a message within their signature blocks.

Departmental Marketing

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what products featuring departmental or Government branding were procured by  (a) her Department and  (b) its agencies in each of the last five years.

Liam Byrne: There is no central record of procured products featuring departmental or government branding. Such products procured by the Department and its agencies include stationery, booklets, leaflets and media advertising in addition to promotional items. To manually examine files across all areas of the Department and its agencies for specific procured items in each of the last five years would incur disproportionate cost,

Departmental Recycling

Brian Jenkins: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what weight of paper her Department recycled in each of the last five years.

Liam Byrne: The weight of paper recycled is not currently measured within the Home Office as a whole as this is not a recognised Government target. However, 100 per cent. of paper placed in the designated receptacles at our London headquarters building, which is now shared with Ministry of Justice staff, is recycled. The most recent figures provided by our facilities supplier at 2 Marsham street are as follows:
	
		
			  Financial reporting year  Tonnage recycled paper 
			 2005-06 48.44 
			 2006-07 71.41 
			 2007-present 73.64

Departmental Redundancies

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the cost was of redundancies in her Department in the 12 months preceding  (a) 30 June 2004,  (b) 30 June 2005 and  (c) 30 June 2006.

Liam Byrne: To identify redundancies the Home Department has made in the 12-month periods preceding 30 June, from 1 July 2003 to 30 June 2006, could be undertaken only at disproportionate cost.
	Central information held on early departures does not distinguish between those who were compelled to leave the Department on compulsory redundancy terms, and those who wished to leave voluntarily on similar terms and not subject to the Department's formal redundancy procedure. Consolidated historic information on early departures is also not generally held in periods of 12 months to 30 June each year, but held by financial year. It would be necessary to review historic individual files to extract the information requested.
	Provisions made each year for new cases of early departures, which include any redundancies, are published in the Home Office Consolidated Resource Accounts. The figures, as follows, show the provisions made each financial year, for the full costs of new cases of early departures (including early retirements) from 2003-04 to 2005-06.
	
		
			   Total ( 000 ) 
			 2003-04 9,774 
			 2004-05 52,707 
			 2005-06 22,369 
		
	
	The aforementioned totals include the core Department, agencies and the 42 local probation boards but not NDPBs.
	Note that the figures include any early departure costs which may have arisen in the Office of Criminal Justice Reform and National Offender Management Service, part of the Home Office during the period shown. They are now part of the Ministry of Justice.

Departmental: Public Expenditure

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the Answer of 11 December 2007,  Official Report, column 480W, on departmental public expenditure, when she expects budget allocations for 2008-09 to be delegated within her Department.

Liam Byrne: Budget delegations will be issued shortly within the Department to all the main Home Office business areas. This will allow time for further sub-delegation in advance of 1 April 2008.

Domestic Violence

Margaret Moran: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many repeat offences of domestic violence were recorded in each police authority area in the last period for which figures are available.

Vernon Coaker: The British Crime Survey (BCS) routinely provides information on the number of incidents of domestic violence in England and Wales, but it is not possible to break it down by region or police force area.
	BCS interviews for 2006-07 showed that domestic violence had the highest rate of repeat victimisation, with 42 per cent. of victims being victimised more than once. Repeat victimisation accounts for 70 per cent. of all incidents of domestic violence as measured by the BCS.

Domestic Violence

Margaret Moran: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department in how many cases of domestic violence the alleged perpetrator was released on bail without notification to the victim in each police authority in the latest period for which figures are available.

Vernon Coaker: The Home Office does not routinely collect this information.

Domestic Violence

Margaret Moran: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many  (a) cautions were imposed and  (b) prosecutions were brought for domestic violence offences in the (i) Bedfordshire and (ii) Luton areas in each of the last five years.

Vernon Coaker: Details of prosecutions for alleged domestic violence related offences in Bedfordshire are contained in the following table (figures for 2007-08 relate only to the period from 1 April 2007 to 4 February 2008). The Crown Prosecution Service is unable to break these data down by towns within the county.
	The Home Office does not routinely collect data on domestic violence related cautions, and Bedfordshire police are unable to collate these data at the present time. However, the force is planning to implement mechanisms to enable such data to be collected in the future.
	
		
			  CPS Bedfordshire magistrates and Crown court defendant prosecutions for domestic violence 
			   Successful  Unsuccessful  
			   Number  Percentage  Number  Percentage  Total prosecution 
			 2004-05 91 37.8 150 62.2 241 
			 2005-06 267 46.4 309 53.6 576 
			 2006-07 316 59.1 219 40.9 535 
			 2007-08 324 66.7 162 33.3 486

Driving Under Influence: Drugs

Mark Hunter: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  how many arrests for drug-driving took place  (a) in England and  (b) in each police authority area in each year since 1997;
	(2)  in how many hit and run incidents where the driver was subsequently identified the driver was found to have been impaired by drugs in 2006.

Vernon Coaker: This information is not collected centrally

Drugs

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if she will introduce a nationwide scheme to close down crack houses.

Vernon Coaker: The Anti-social Behaviour Act 2003 introduced across England and Wales the power for courts to issue orders for the closure of premises where class A drugs and serious nuisance and disorder are a problem. The provision commenced on 20 January 2004 and is proving effective with over 1,000 properties closed according to early analysis due to be published in the spring.

Drugs: Peterborough

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 29 November 2007,  Official Report, column 652W, on drugs: Peterborough, what methodology she will use to assess the delivery of the Prime Minister's recent pledge to deport foreign-born drug dealers; and if she will make a statement.

Liam Byrne: holding answer 12 December 200 7
	It has already been made clear that we will take deportation action against those foreign nationals who commit serious offences. The chief executive of the Border and Immigration Agency advised the Home Affairs Committee on 15 January that more than 4,200 foreign national prisoners were deported in 2007. The Home Secretary has also confirmed that this includes more than 1,100 drug offenders, more than 200 sex offenders and more than 20 killers.

Drugs: Smuggling

Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent support  (a) her Department and  (b) police forces have offered to the Government of Colombia in combating the smuggling of illegal drugs across the Colombia-Venezuela border.

Vernon Coaker: holding answer 7 February 2008
	Preventing the cross-border flow of illicit drugs from Colombia to neighbouring countries is a top priority for the UK's international counter-narcotics efforts. The UK is investing in projects in Colombia and Venezuela to tackle the cross-border flow of illicit drugs. These projects have helped to build capacity among Colombian and Venezuelan law enforcement agencies and the judiciary. In addition, funding of a United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime project on cross-border co-operation has recently been approved.
	We take a broad regional approach to tackling the trade in illicit drugs, through a mixture of political engagement, capacity building and law enforcement support in producer, transit and consumer countries. This includes working with Governments of other producer and transit countries in Latin America and countries along the main trafficking routes for drugs via the Caribbean and West Africa.

Emergency Calls

Jennifer Willott: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate she has made of the average cost of answering and responding to a call to 999; and if she will make a statement.

Tony McNulty: The Home Office does not collate the cost of answering and responding to 999 calls and we do not hold data centrally on the duration of calls and level of response to each call to provide estimated costs.

Emergency Calls

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the cost per call is to use the 0845 6070999 non-emergency police number.

Tony McNulty: This information is not collected centrally.

Entry Clearances: Indian Subcontinent

Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many  (a) spouses and  (b) fiancs and fiances were admitted to the UK in each of the last five years from (i) Pakistan, (ii) India, (iii) Bangladesh and (iv) Sri Lanka.

Liam Byrne: holding answer 21 January 2008
	 The information requested is shown in the following table.
	
		
			  Passengers given leave to enter the United Kingdom as spouses( 1)  or fianc(e)s by selected country of nationality: 2002 to 2006( 2) 
			  Country of nationality and category of entry  2002  2003  2004  2005  2006( 2) 
			  Pakistan  
			 Spouse 6,115 5,550 7,465 8,525 8,280 
			 Fianc(e)s 200 95 160 195 250 
			   
			  India  
			 Spouse 3,380 3,330 4,145 4,955 4,810 
			 Fianc(e)s 225 235 250 315 330 
			   
			  Bangladesh  
			 Spouse 2,800 2,850 1,645 3,140 3,400 
			 Fianc(e)s 20 20 5 30 45 
			   
			  Sri Lanka  
			 Spouse 785 860 925 865 1,030 
			 Fianc(e)s 10 10 5 10 15 
			 (1) Includes settlement-on-arrival spouses (family reunion), and excludes civil and unmarried partners. (2) Provisional and subject to change.  Note: Figures rounded to the nearest five.

Entry Clearances: Students

Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many student visas were revoked in each of the last five years as a consequence of  (a) failure to register with the relevant institution at the beginning of the academic year and  (b) failure to attend classes.

Liam Byrne: The information requested could be obtained only by the detailed examination of individual case records at disproportionate cost.

Extradition: USA

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many requests for extradition under the Extradition Act 2003 have been received from public authorities in the United States; what offences those the United States sought to extradite were suspected of; how many such requests have been granted; and how many of those extradited have subsequently been convicted of the offence for which they were extradited.

Meg Hillier: The purpose of extradition is to ensure that those accusedor already convictedof a crime do not avoid justice by leaving the country in which the offence or alleged offence took place. The available information in the following table does not differentiate between accused and convicted cases, but the great majority of requests for extradition involve those accused of offences. All extradition requests, from the US or any other country, are made by public authorities.
	We do not hold information about whether those extradited have subsequently been convicted of the alleged offence for which they were extradited. The involvement of the Home Office extradition section finishes when the extradition case is concluded, either by the person being extradited to the US or by the extradition request being dismissed. The Home Office has no statutory role in the monitoring of cases post extradition.
	
		
			   Number of requests received  Offence  Number surrendered( 1) 
			 2004 42 Child Assault (1) 20 
			   Child Pornography(2)  
			   Computer Fraud (1)  
			   Drugs (11)  
			   Forgery (1)  
			   Fraud (10)  
			   Indecent Assault (1)  
			   Money Laundering (2)  
			   Murder (2)  
			   Obstruction of Justice (1)  
			   Racketeering (1)  
			   Rape (1)  
			   Robbery (2)  
			   Satellite Signal Fraud (3)  
			   Terrorism (3)  
			 
			 2005 8 Child Pornography (1) 4 
			   Drugs (1)  
			   Fraud (3)  
			   Sexual Offences (1)  
			   Theft (1)  
			   Terrorism (1)  
			 
			 2006 17 Child Molestation (1) 9 
			   Drugs/Money Laundering (1)  
			   Embezzlement (1)  
			   Exporting Defence Equipment without a Licence (1)  
			   Fraud (5)  
			   Murder (3)  
			   Obtaining Property by Deception (1)  
			   Parental Kidnapping (1)  
			   Securities Fraud (1)  
			   Terrorism (2).  
			 
			 2007 10 Drugs (3) 3 
			   Illegal Use of Counterfeit Trademark (1)  
			   Mail Fraud (1)  
			   Money Laundering (1)  
			   Murder (1)  
			   Securities Fraud (1)  
			   Rape (1)  
			   Tax Evasion (1)  
			 Total 77  36 
			 (1) Surrender will not necessarily take place in the same year in which extradition was requested.

Fair Trade Initiatives

Michael Moore: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what her Department's policy is on the use of fair trade goods  (a) in staff catering facilities and  (b) at official departmental functions and meetings; and if she will make a statement.

Liam Byrne: Although there are no mandatory requirements in place for the procurement of fair trade products by Government Departments it is Home Office policy to provide fairtrade tea and coffee at official meetings in some of its key buildings. In addition the Home Office encourages suppliers to offer fair trade products such as chocolate, biscuits and orange juice in staff restaurants and coffee shops.

Foreign Workers

Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether foreign nationals working as diplomats and in other jobs at foreign embassies, high commissions, consulates and other diplomatic posts will be required to hold biometric information documents and identity cards; and if she will make a statement.

Liam Byrne: Our intention is that the new identity cards for foreign nationals will eventually be issued to all foreign nationals who are subject to immigration control. However, those working as diplomats and in posts at foreign embassies, high commissions, consulates and other diplomatic posts which render them exempt from immigration control, will not be required either to provide biometric information or to apply for an identity card for foreign nationals.
	I do not intend to make a statement at this stage.

Foreign Workers

Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate she has made of the number of foreign senior care workers who will not meet the minimum salary requirements to continue employment under the Border and Immigration Agency guidelines.

Liam Byrne: The Border and Immigration Agency has made no estimate of the number of foreign senior care workers who will not meet the minimum salary requirements. It is not possible to estimate the salaries that employers will choose to offer when work permits expire in the future.
	Senior care worker salary guidance was updated on 13 August 2007. More senior care worker extension applications were granted in the period August to December 2007 than in the same period in 2006.
	We have reviewed the transitional measures put in place on 13 August and as a result we announced two new transitional measures on 18 January to further assist the sector in maintaining continuity of care while it adapts its recruitment practices.
	We are working with the Department of Health and our Healthcare Sector Advisory Panel to monitor the situation. The Department of Health has also undertaken to provide evidence to the Migration Advisory Committee.

Foreign Workers

Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether foreign nationals resident in the United Kingdom serving as diplomats for  (a) the United Nations,  (b) the World Health Organisation and  (c) other international organisations will be required to produce biometric information documents and identity cards.

Liam Byrne: Our intention is that the new identity cards for foreign nationals will eventually be issued to all foreign nationals who are subject to immigration control. However, diplomats and other employees who are exempt from immigration control, due to their service with the United Nations, the World Health Organisation or certain other international organisations, such as the International Monetary Fund, or the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, will not be required either to provide biometric information or to apply for an identity card for foreign nationals.

Foreign Workers

Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate she has made of the effect on the numbers of foreign nationals seeking to enter the UK of the hosting of the 2012 Olympic games in  (a) 2008-09,  (b) 2009-10,  (c) 2010-11 and  (d) 2011-12.

Liam Byrne: Most recent projections of foreign national tourism commissioned by VisitBritain and Visit London suggest no appreciable increase through to 2011. In the calendar year 2012 a 3 per cent. rise is forecast due to the 2012 games.
	Between 2007 and 2012 about 37,000 athletes of all nationalities are expected to participate in events leading up to the games themselves. A number of delegations are also expected to visit Britain in connection with the Olympics.
	Construction at Olympic sites will create employment, but employers are expected to fill vacancies from local labour supplies or by recruiting EEA nationals. No formal approach has been made to the Borders and Immigration Agency to recruit foreign labour.

Genetics: Databases

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what security measures exist to protect the information on the national DNA database.

Meg Hillier: Security measures on the national DNA database (NDNAD) are managed by its custodian, the National Policing Improvement Agency (NPIA). Direct access to information on the NDNAD is restricted to a limited number of designated personnel under the control of the custodian, either directly, or under a contract awarded by the Home Office to the Forensic Science Service (FSS) for operation and maintenance of the NDNAD and development of its IT systems. Throughout the lifetime of the contract, the FSS are required to demonstrate compliance with the requirements of the International Standard for Information Security, ISO 17799.
	Police and law enforcement staff do not have access to the information on the NDNAD, but receive reports from the custodian's staff of matches between DNA taken from crime scenes and that taken from individuals.
	In accordance with the policy that it may assist persons interested in testing the effectiveness of the United Kingdom's IT defences, a detailed description of IT security measures cannot be provided, as this would not be in the public interest.

Human Trafficking

Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans her Department has to enhance the powers of  (a) border and  (b) other officials to stop people on the grounds that they suspect them to be victims or perpetrators of human trafficking.

Liam Byrne: holding answer 4 February 2008
	To help meet the increased challenge from organised crime and terrorism the Prime Minister announced in November the creation of the United Kingdom Border Agency which will bring together into a single organisation the work of UKvisas, the Border and Immigration Agency and the border work of HM Revenue and Customs. The UK Border Agency will give officers the power to detain people not just on suspicion of immigration offences or for customs crime but also for other criminal activity. Powers are also being given to airline liaison officers to cancel visas where justified.
	To assist in punishing facilitators or traffickers Section 31 (1) of the UK Borders Act 2007 came into force on 31 January 2008. This will give border staff powers to ensure that we can prosecute traffickers and facilitators operating anywhere within the secure areas of ports, whether they commit an act here or overseas and regardless of their nationality.
	Increased training and awareness raising, including that provided by other expert organisations, means that our front-line staff are better equipped than ever to identify potential victims at an early stage.

Human Trafficking

Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what powers  (a) border and  (b) other officials have to stop people on the grounds that they suspect them to be victims or perpetrators of human trafficking.

Liam Byrne: holding answer 4 February 2008
	All people seeking entry to the United Kingdom are subject to examination by an Immigration Officer under Schedule 2 of the Immigration Act 1971. This provides that the officer may examine any person to ensure that they qualify for entry in accordance with the published Immigration Rules.
	BIA has provided staff with guidance and training to identify victims both on entry to the United Kingdom and after.
	Any passenger suspected of trafficking is referred to a Border and Immigration Agency prosecution unit, or the police, for the offence to be fully investigated. The present offences on statute to deal with traffickers include
	Section 25(1) of the Immigration Act 1971 which provides it is an offence to assist in the unlawful immigration of a non EU citizen.
	Section 57 (1) of the Sexual Offences Act 2003, which provides an offence of trafficking for sexual exploitation.
	Section 4 (1) of the Asylum and Immigration Act 2004, which provides an offence of trafficking for non sexual exploitation.
	Immigration Officers have power under the Immigration Act to detain, for further examination, any person they believe is involved in the commission of any of the above offences. Furthermore, trained immigration officers also have the power to arrest any individual they have reasonable grounds to believe have committed such an offence.
	Police officers and officials from the Her Majesty's Customs and Revenue also have powers to deal with perpetrators of trafficking.

Hunting: Prosecutions

Stephen Hesford: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prosecutions there have been for hunting foxes with dogs since 2005; and what steps her Department is taking to enforce the Hunting Act 2004.

Vernon Coaker: Data showing the number of defendants proceeded against, found guilty, cautioned and fined under the Hunting Act 2004, broken down by police force area, are in the following table. The Association of Chief Police Officers has issued guidance on enforcement of the Hunting Act and the Government are continuing to work closely with the police, and other stakeholders, to identify what more can be done to ensure that there is effective and proportionate enforcement of the Hunting Act 2004.
	
		
			  Number of defendants proceeded against at magistrates courts, found guilty at all courts and fined, and the number of offenders cautioned by the police of offences under the Hunting Act 2004, England and Wales, by police force area( 1, 2, 3, 4) 
			  Police force area  Proceeded against  Found guilty  Fined  Cautioned 
			  2005 
			 Merseyside 1 1 1  
			 Northumbria1 
			 Thames Valley 2 2 2  
			 Total 3 3 3 1 
			  
			  2006 
			 Cheshire 2 2 2  
			 Durham 1
			 Essex 4 3 3  
			 Humberside 4
			 Total 11 5 5 0 
			 (1) These data are on the principal offence basis. (2) Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by the courts and police forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used. (3) The Hunting Act 2004 came into force in February 2005. (4) Where police forces are not listed, assume a nil figure.

Illegal Immigrants

James Clappison: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many  (a) prosecutions and  (b) convictions there were for (i) knowingly facilitating the entry of an illegal entrant contrary to section 25(1)(a) of the Immigration Act 1971 and (ii) assisting unlawful immigration contrary to section 25 of the Immigration Act in each quarter since 1 January 2002; and how many of those convicted received custodial sentences.

Liam Byrne: Data showing the number of defendants proceeded against, found guilty and given custodial sentences for Section 25 of the Immigration Act 1971, from 2002 to 2006, in England and Wales, are shown in the following table.
	Section 25 of the 1971 Immigration Act was amended as part of the 2002 Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act. Following this change it is not possible to separate offences under Section 25(1 )(a) from any under the rest of Section 25.
	Information on persons proceeded against for offences under Immigration Acts 1971 to 2004 during 2007 will be available in the autumn of 2008.
	Published statistics on immigration and asylum are available from the Library of the House.
	
		
			  Number of defendants proceeded against at magistrates courts and found guilty at all courts under Sections 25(1)(a) and 25 of the Immigration Act 19 71 in England and Wales, 2002-0( 1,)( )( 2) Section 25(1 )(a)Knowingly facilitating the entry of an illegal entrant; Section 25Assisting unlawful immigration 
			  Number of persons 
			   Section 25(1)(a)  Section 25 (excludes Section 25(1)(a)) 
			   Proceeded against  Found guilty  Immediate custody  Proceeded against  Found guilty  Immediate custody 
			 Q1 2002 42 40 27 0 0 0 
			 Q2 2002 54 42 24 0 0 0 
			 Q3 2002 72 59 36 0 0 0 
			 Q4 2002 55 60 36 0 0 0 
			 Q1 2003 63 42 24 3 3 1 
			 Q2 2003 49 35 18 2 0 0 
			 Q3 2003 65 44 29 4 0 0 
			 Q4 2003 49 38 33 31 10 0 
		
	
	
		
			   Section 25( 3) 
			   Proceeded against  Found guilty( 4)  Immediate custody 
			 Q1 2004 54 43 24 
			 Q2 2004 50 39 33 
			 Q3 2004 34 45 37 
			 Q4 2004 26 30 22 
			 Q1 2005(5) 21 50 43 
			 Q2 2005(5) 24 27 27 
			 Q3 2005(5) 33 32 16 
			 Q4 2005(5) 31 30 24 
			 Q1 2006(5) 13 24 16 
			 Q2 2006(5) 29 24 18 
			 Q3 2006(5) 17 33 25 
			 Q4 2006(5) 22 26 19 
			 (1) Principal immigration offence. (2) Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by the courts and police forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used. (3) From 2004 to 2006 it is not possible to separate data for section 25 (1) (a) from the data for the rest of section 25. (4) The found guilty column may exceed those proceeded against, as it may be the case that the proceedings in the magistrates court took place in the preceding year and they were found guilty at the Crown court in the following year, or the defendant was found guilty for a different offence to the original offence proceeded against. (5) These data are provisional. Data for 2006 were updated on 9 January 2008.

Illegal Immigrants

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if she will estimate the number of known illegal immigrants in each constituency.

Liam Byrne: holding answer 24 January 2008
	 No government have ever been able to produce an accurate figure for the number of people who are in the country illegally. By its very nature it is impossible to quantify accurately and that remains the case. It is therefore not possible to provide an estimate for the number of immigrants known to be illegally resident in each constituency.
	Exit controls were phased out from 1994. As part of the Government's 10-point plan for delivery, by Christmas 2008 the majority of foreign nationals will be counted in and out of the country. This will build on the successes of our early testing of the e-Borders programme (Project Semaphore) which already covers over 30 million passenger movements and has led to 18,000 alerts and more than 1,500 arrests.
	This is part of a sweeping programme of border protection which also includes the global roll-out of fingerprint visas, compulsory watch-list checks for all travellers from high-risk countries before they land in Britain and ID cards for foreign nationals.

Illegal Immigrants: Poole

Robert Syms: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  what level of fine has been levied on individuals and companies for carrying illegal immigrants through the Port of Poole in the last five years;
	(2)  how many  (a) individuals and  (b) companies have been fined for carrying illegal immigrants through the port of Poole in the last five years.

Liam Byrne: holding answer 5 February 2008
	There have been 107 incidents involving drivers and transport companies for the carriage of clandestine entrants into the port of Poole over the last five years. Penalties were not imposed in all cases as the imposition of a penalty depends upon the measures taken by the company and the driver to prevent the carriage of clandestine entrants and the extent to which they comply with the Code of Practice.
	The level of penalty imposed depends upon the measures taken by the owner, hirer and driver to prevent the carriage of clandestine entrants and with regard to the Level of Penalty Code of Practice. Penalties range from nil to 2,000 per clandestine entrant.

Immigrants: National Insurance

James Clappison: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to her statement of 13 November 2007,  Official Report, columns 531-3 and her answer to the hon. Member for Hertsmere, how many of the non-EEA nationals without the right to work to whom she referred have been issued with national insurance numbers.

James Plaskitt: I have been asked to reply.
	The information on national insurance numbers is not currently available.
	The Security Industry Authority (SIA) is currently conducting an exercise to determine the right to work status of SIA licence holders. If, following completion of the legal appeals process, an SIA licence is revoked because the holder has failed to demonstrate the right to work in the UK, the SIA will provide DWP with the information they require. This will enable a check to be made upon whether the individuals concerned were issued with a valid national insurance number by DWP and under what circumstances.
	The Department for Work and Pensions does not issue temporary national insurance numbers.

Immigration

James Clappison: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what criteria she used to select the cases to be dealt with in the legacy exercise as referred to in the letter of 17 December 2007 from the Chief Executive of the Border and Immigration Agency to the Chairman of the Home Affairs Committee.

Liam Byrne: holding answer 10 January 2008
	The cases dealt with by the case resolution teams include unresolved asylum applications which are not being processed by case owners in our regional asylum teams, meaning that they are those lodged with the Agency before 5 March 2007, and many of them have been in our system for more than three years.
	The common factor that defines incomplete asylum cases for the purpose of the case resolution directorate is that there was initially an asylum claim and, as yet, the case record has not been concluded( i.e. granted, removed or closed) either due to errors in recording information or there are outstanding actions that need to be taken. Our cases largely date from before the Asylum (Treatment of Claimants etc.) Act 2004. Case records are concluded when individuals have permission to stay; are removed from the UK, voluntarily or by force; or their records are otherwise closed (e.g. when data errors are resolved).
	The priorities are those who may pose a risk to the public, those who can be more easily removed, those receiving support and those who may be granted leave. All cases will be dealt with on their individual merits.

Immigration

John Randall: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 14 January 2008,  Official Report, column 105W, on immigration, how many unresolved electronic and paper asylum records within the Border and Immigration Agency related to the London borough of Hillingdon; and how many and what proportion of such cases were concluded within the six month target period up to December 2007.

Liam Byrne: The requested information is not collated centrally and could be obtained only at a disproportionate cost through the examination of individual cases.
	There is no requirement for unresolved asylum cases to be concluded within a specific target date due to the differing nature and complexity of the casework undertaken.

Immigration Officers: Airlines

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many airline liaison officers are employed by her Department; and in which locations they are stationed.

Liam Byrne: The UK Border and Immigration Agency currently has 34 airline liaison officers (ALOs) posted to 32 locations listed as follows. These long-term deployments are supplemented by five ALOs who provide short-term additional coverage where required for operational reasons.
	 Europe
	Amsterdam
	Athens
	Barcelona
	Budapest
	Copenhagen
	Frankfurt
	Lisbon
	Madrid
	Milan
	Moscow
	Paris
	Rome
	 South Asia
	Colombo
	Dhaka
	Islamabad
	Mumbai
	New Delhi
	 East Asia
	Bangkok
	Beijing
	Hong Kong (two ALOs)
	Kuala Lumpur
	Shanghai
	 Middle East/Gulf
	Amman
	Bahrain
	Dubai
	Doha
	 Africa
	Accra
	Banjul
	Cairo (two ALOs)
	Lagos
	Nairobi
	Pretoria (covering Johannesburg)

Immigration Officers: Complaints

Andrew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proportion of those making a complaint against staff involved in removals from the United Kingdom were interviewed in each of the last three years.

Liam Byrne: holding answer 6 February 2008
	 Records have only been held centrally since October 2006 and relate to contractors' staff who are involved in the detention and overseas escort process only. During this period, of the 51 complaints received, 37 complainants have been interviewed to date.

Immigration Officers: Crimes of Violence

Andrew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many complaints of assault have been made against staff involved in immigration removals from the United Kingdom in each of the last three years.

Liam Byrne: holding answer 6 February 2008
	 This information has only been held centrally since October 2006 and relates to contractors' staff involved in the detention and overseas escort process only. During this period there have been 51 complaints of assault to date.

Immigration: Children

Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to her written ministerial statement of 31 January 2008,  Official Report, columns 28-29WS, on care for children in the immigration system, which local authorities will be part of the network of specialist local authorities looking after unaccompanied asylum seeking children.

Liam Byrne: The location of the specialist network is currently being discussed with local authorities.

Immigration: Work Permits

Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 21 January 2008,  Official Report, column 1773W, on Immigration: Work Permits, how much her Department spent in relation to reviews where work permits have been refused and the applicant has sought a review of their case  (a) in total,  (b) on legal counsel and  (c) on staffing, administration and accommodation costs in the last 12 months.

Liam Byrne: The information requested is not available. The team responsible for the consideration of work permit reviews is part of a larger unit and expenditure relating specifically to work permit reviews is not separately recorded.

Immigration: Workers

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what research she has  (a) commissioned and  (b) evaluated on the effect on the recruitment of highly skilled chefs for Chinese restaurants in the UK of the points-based immigration system, with particular reference to the language test requirement; and if she will make a statement.

Liam Byrne: The Government have not commissioned specific research to address the effect of the points-based system on the recruitment of highly skilled chefs in Chinese restaurants. Tier 2 of the points-based system is designed to ensure that employers can bring in the skilled migrants they need subject to meeting the relevant points criteria. In addition, the Migration Advisory Committee will produce a list of shortage occupations which will receive additional points and I have specifically asked the MAC to consider the ethnic cuisine sector when they draw up their list later this year.

Immobilisation of Vehicles

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many licensed vehicle immobilisers have had their licences revoked in each of the last five years; how many unlicensed individuals have been prosecuted for carrying out vehicle immobilisations in the same period; and what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of the Private Security Industry Act 2001 in regulating the activities of wheel clampers.

Vernon Coaker: The Security Industry Authority revoked three vehicle immobilisers licences in 2006, six in 2007 and four in 2008 as at 6 February 2008. Some 1,500 valid vehicle immobilisers licences are currently held. The following weblink gives the list of revoked licences, which includes the type of licence for each revocation:
	http://www.the-sia.org.uk/home/licensing/revoked/rorl_intro.htm
	The Private Security Industry Act 2001 provides for the regulation of vehicle immobilisers carrying out licensable activities and for a range of offences which include using an unlicensed wheel-clamper. The most common offence prosecuted under the Act is conduct prohibited without a licence. This would include carrying out, without a licence, not only wheel-clamping and related activities but also the other types of activity which are licensable under the 2001 Act, such as manned guarding and door supervision. Numbers of prosecutions and convictions for 2004-06 are shown in the following table. The data do not break down further the licensable activities to which the prosecutions related, except where this is clear from the offence.
	The Home Office and the SIA are considering various options for the regulation of vehicle immobilisation companies in the private sector, including a company registration scheme. The SIA is planning to undertake a feasibility study of the various policy options in the financial year 2008-09. Further details will be published in the SIA's business plan 2008-09. We expect the results of the feasibility study to be available in early 2009.
	
		
			  Number of defendants proceeded against at magistrate's courts and found guilty at all courts of offences under the 2001 Private Security Industry Act 2001, in England and Wales, 2004 to 2006( 1,)( )( 2) 
			2004  2005  2006 
			  Offence  Statute  Proceeded against  Found guilty  Proceeded against  Found guilty  Proceeded against  Found guilty 
			 Offence of using unlicensed security operatives Private Security Industry Act 2001 s.5(1)(4)   3  13 8 
			 Offence of using unlicensed wheel clampers operative Private Security Industry Act 2001 s.6(1)(4)   2
			 Right to use approved status Private Security Industry Act 2001 s.3(1)(6)   2
			 (1) These data are on the principal offence basis. (2) Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by the courts and police forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used.

Infanticide

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many children have been killed by  (a) non-resident fathers and  (b) non-resident mothers in each of the last five years.

Vernon Coaker: The information requested is not available centrally.

Isac Dumitru

Anthony Steen: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  what representations she has had from the Romanian embassy on the case of Isac Dumitru;
	(2)  where Isac Dumitru is being looked after by Essex social services;
	(3)  what steps she plans to take to secure the future of Isac Dumitru.

Liam Byrne: It is the general policy of the Border and Immigration Agency not to disclose to a third party personal information about another person, including information concerning their immigration status, as well as personal details, mainly for reasons of privacy, data protection and child protection.

Licensing Laws

Charles Hendry: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what consultation her Department has had with  (a) the Association of Chief Police Officers and  (b) the Police Federation on the Government's review of licensing hours.

Gerry Sutcliffe: I have been asked to reply.
	The Department for Culture, Media and Sport is looking at the many strands of evaluation that were set up to monitor the impact of the Licensing Act 2003. Those projects would have sought the views of the police where necessary. For example, the evaluation of the impact of the Licensing Act 2003 on levels of crime and disorder is being progressed by the Home Office and has included analysis of police force data, a telephone survey of police officers with responsibility for licensing in 26 police force areas and interviews with police in five case study areas. In addition, the Association of Chief Police Officers has been able to contribute to the ongoing monitoring of the impact of the new regime as a longstanding member of the DCMS licensing stakeholder advisory group.

Members: Correspondence

David Winnick: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when she expects to reply to the letter from the hon. Member for Walsall, North of 26 November 2007 on a constituent (Home Office reference: B34554/7).

Liam Byrne: holding answer 14 January 2008
	 The Border and Immigration Agency wrote to the hon. Member on 21 January 2008.

Ministerial Policy Advisers

Michael Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department who the special advisers in her Department are; what expertise each has; and what the cost of employing them was in the latest year for which figures are available.

Liam Byrne: I refer the hon. Member to my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister's written statement made on 22 November 2007,  Official Report, column 147WS.

National Security Strategy

Keith Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what role her Department has played in drafting the National Security Strategy; and if she will make a statement.

Tony McNulty: holding answer 4 February 2008
	The Home Office is working closely with the Cabinet Office and other interested Departments and Agencies to produce the National Security Strategy.

Neighbourhood Policing Programme

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when she expects to publish the results of her Department's monitoring and evaluation exercise in relation to the neighbourhood policing programme across England and Wales.

Tony McNulty: The evaluation of Neighbourhood policing at the BCD level is currently ongoing and is scheduled to end in March 2009. There is a plan to publish a first report of early findings in the first half of 2008.

Offenders: Crimes of Violence

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the proportion of violent incidents in each region of England and Wales where the offender was thought to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs was in each year since 1997.

Vernon Coaker: holding answer 6 February 2008
	The British Crime Survey (BCS) routinely provides information on the proportion of violent incidents in England and Wales, where the victim believed the offender(s) to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs, but it is not possible to break it down by region.
	According to the latest BCS (2006-07), the offender was thought to be under the influence of alcohol in 46 per cent. of violent incidents, and under the influence of drugs in 17 per cent. of violent incidents. The following table gives the figures for previous years.
	
		
			  Percentage of violent incidents where offender/s under the influence of drink or drugs (BCS) 
			  Percentage 
			   1997  1999  2001/02  2002/03  2003/04  2004/05  2005/06  2006/07 
			 Under influence of drink 
			 Yes 42 40 47 44 50 48 44 46 
			 No 48 50 44 45 40 43 47 44 
			 Don't know 10 9 9 11 10 9 8 10 
			 Unweighted base 946 1,052 1,340 1,455 1,465 1,529 1,567 1,658 
			  
			 Under influence of drugs 
			 Yes 18 18 21 20 19 18 23 17 
			 No 53 55 56 52 50 52 53 56 
			 Don't know 29 27 23 27 30 30 25 28 
			 Unweighted base 946 1,052 1,340 1,455 1,465 1,529 1,567 1,658 
			  Notes: 1. Percentages may not sum to 100 due to founding 2. BCS violence in 1997, 1999, 2001-02, 2002-03, 2003-04, 2004-05 and 2005-06 includes common assault, wounding, robbery and snatch theft.  3. BCS violence in 2006/07 excludes snatch theft.

Offenders: Deportation

David Ruffley: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate she has made of the number of crimes committed by non-UK nationals which have resulted in a Court recommendation for deportation in each police authority area in each of the last five years.

Liam Byrne: It is within a judge or magistrate's discretion to make a recommendation, at the time of sentencing, for any foreign national to be subject to deportation action upon completion of a custodial sentence. When a recommendation is made, the subject is referred by the Ministry of Justice to the Border and Immigration Agency to consider deportation.
	The Border and Immigration Agency do not hold the requested information and could obtain it only through the detailed examination of individual court, police and immigration records at disproportionate cost.

Offenders: Deportation

Julian Brazier: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many criminals of foreign nationality who  (a) were apprehended and  (b) served their sentences in the UK were deported to their country of origin in each of the last five years.

Liam Byrne: The Chief Executive of the Border and Immigration Agency has regularly updated the Home Affairs Committee over the last 18 months on the issue of foreign national prisoners and provided the most accurate and robust statistics available. Copies of her letters are placed in the Library of the House. She has also advised the Home Affairs Committee during her appearance of 15 January that over 4,200 foreign national prisoners were deported or removed in 2007.

Offenders: Foreigners

Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many foreign former prisoners were housed in  (a) immigration detention centres and  (b) young offender institutions on 31 December 2007.

Liam Byrne: The chief executive of the Border and Immigration Agency wrote to the Home Affairs Committee on 20 November advising that there were 1,500 foreign nationals whose sentences had expired and were detained in the agency or prison estate while awaiting deportation. A copy of this letter is available in the Library of the House.

Offensive Weapons

John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  how many people under the age of 18 years were  (a) injured and  (b) killed by bladed weapons in the last year for which figures are available;
	(2)  how many fatalities there were arising from the use of bladed weapons in the last year for which figures are available.

Tony McNulty: Available information relates to offences currently recorded as homicide that were caused by a knife or other sharp instrument. As of 12 November 2007, 258 such homicides were recorded by police in England and Wales during 2006-07. Of these, 19 victims were aged under 18.
	Centrally-collected data cannot show how many persons were injured by means of bladed weapons.

Official Residences

Eric Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many years remain on the lease for South Eaton Place, the Government House in Pimlico.

Liam Byrne: holding answer 31 January 2008
	The property is held on a number of co-terminous leases which expire in 45 years.

Official Residences

Eric Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department for how many months the Government House in Pimlico has been vacant.

Liam Byrne: holding answer 31 January 2008
	The property has been vacant for 22 months.

Official Residences

Eric Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if she will place in the Library a copy of the home information pack produced regarding South Eaton Place, the Government House in Pimlico at the time it was put on the market.

Liam Byrne: holding answer 31 January 2008
	The home information pack will be placed in the Library when it is prepared.

Organised Crime

David Ruffley: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many investigations into organised crime organisations have been undertaken by  (a) the Serious and Organised Crime Agency and  (b) other police organisations in each of the last five years.

Vernon Coaker: The Serious Organised Crime Agency, which became operational on 1 April 2006, has the aim of reducing the harm caused to the UK through organised crime. SOCA's annual report published on 18 May 2007 states that during 2006-07its first year of operationSOCA ran 404 operations and projects as its contribution to the UK Serious Organised Crime Control Strategy. Of these 404 operations and projects, 283 were operations focussed on organised criminals and their organisations. Information on the operational activity undertaken by SOCA in 2007-08 will be published in the 2007-08 annual report. Information on investigations undertaken by other police organisations is not held centrally.

Police

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what legislation determines whether a suspect may be questioned by police following charge; and if she will make a statement.

Tony McNulty: holding answer 28 January 2008
	The code of practice for the detention, treatment and questioning of persons by police officers (code C) issued under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 provides in paragraph 16.5 that a person may not be interviewed about an offence after they have been charged with, or informed that, they may be prosecuted for it, unless the interview is necessary: to prevent or minimise harm or loss to some other person, or to the public; to clear up an ambiguity in a previous answer or statement; in the interests of justice for the detainee to have further matters put to them which have come to light since they were charged or informed they might be prosecuted.
	The PACE Review consultation paper published in March 2007 sought public and stakeholder views on the current use of questioning after charge. The responses to that are available on the PACE Review webpage at:
	http://police.homeoffice.gov.uk/operational-policing/powers-pace-codes/PACE-Review
	We aim to publish final proposals at the end of March 2008.

Police Custody: Asylum

David Ruffley: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what nightly rate is paid by the Immigration Service for the use of police cells to each police force.

Liam Byrne: Border and Immigration Agency opened negotiations in October 2005 direct with a number of police forces about the rates they charge for the use of police cells and discussions continue. The negotiations are based on a standard charging methodology which takes account of local circumstances. The following table shows in ranges the rates payable in 2007-08, and indicates where rates have been agreed as a result of the negotiations.
	
		
			  Range: per 24 hours  Rates agreed 
			  Up to 199  
			 Avon and Somerset Negotiated rate 
			 Bedfordshire Negotiated rate 
			 British Transport  
			 Cambridgeshire Negotiated rate 
			 Cheshire Negotiated rate 
			 Cleveland Negotiated rate 
			 Cumbria Negotiated rate 
			 Essex Negotiated rate 
			 Gloucestershire Negotiated rate 
			 Hertfordshire Negotiated rate 
			 Lancashire Negotiated rate 
			 Leicestershire Negotiated rate 
			 Norfolk Negotiated rate 
			 Suffolk Negotiated rate 
			 Wiltshire Negotiated rate 
			   
			  200-299  
			 Dyfed Powys  
			 Dumfries and Galloway  
			 Grampian  
			 Gwent  
			 Lothian and Borders  
			 Merseyside Negotiated rate 
			 Nottinghamshire  
			 Northumbria  
			 Northern Ireland  
			 North Yorkshire  
			 Staffordshire  
			 South Wales  
			   
			  300-399  
			 Devon and Cornwall  
			 Greater Manchester  
			 Hampshire  
			 Humberside  
			 Lincolnshire  
			 Northamptonshire  
			 West Mercia  
			   
			  400-499  
			 Dorset  
			 Kent  
			 South Yorkshire  
			 Thames Valley  
			 Warwickshire  
			 West Midlands  
			 West Yorkshire Negotiated rate 
			   
			  500 to c. 1,000  
			 Highland Council  
			 Metropolitan  
			 North Wales  
			 Surrey  
			 Sussex  
			  Notes: 1. There are small variations to rates depending on individual circumstances of detentions (e.g. number of meals, clothing required, length of stay, etc.), hence why rates are banded rather than provided as specific figures. 2. Different rates apply to the hire of full custody suites, as opposed to utilising existing facilities. 3. In most cases, interpreter and medical examination costs are charged separately at cost, in addition to the above rates; 4. Those police forces which do not charge or to whom payments made are ad hoc/for incidentals only are not shown.

Police National Computer

Adam Price: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what measures are in place to prevent the unauthorised passing of information from the Police National Computer to the media.

Tony McNulty: The Police National Computer (PNC) is a secure facility. All applicants seeking employment at the location are subject to rigorous security vetting checks, which are subject to periodic renewal.
	Access to PNC live data systems by a limited number of staff is strictly controlled and monitored by a security manager. All staff at the HOC are reminded of their obligations to adhere to the stringent procedures in place for the handling of requests for information from the media, and these are updated regularly.
	The protection of information from PNC that is conveyed to the media by forces is the responsibility of individual chief officers.

Police: Bureaucracy

John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what forms are required to be completed by a policeman processing a burglary from investigation to conviction; and how many pages each form contains.

Tony McNulty: The specific information requested is not available as the number of forms and pages completed by a police officer processing a burglary from investigation to conviction is dependent on the circumstances of arrest in each individual case.
	Following an arrest, the arresting police officer is required only to record information about the nature and circumstances of the offence leading to the arrest, the reason (s) why arrest was necessary, the giving of the caution and anything said by the person at the time of arrest. Once in custody, the grounds for arrest do not need to be given to the custody officer in person as they may be given remotely or via a third party, enabling the arresting police officer to remain on front line duty.

Police: Cambridgeshire

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many full-time police officers, excluding police community support officers, there were in the Northern Division of Cambridgeshire Constabulary in each quarterly period since 2001; and if she will make a statement.

Tony McNulty: holding answer 5 February 2008
	The requested data for police officer strength at the Basic Command Unit level, have been collected annually since 2002-03, and are given in the following table.
	I am told by the chief constable (Mrs. Julie Spence) that the reduction in police officer numbers in 2004-05 is the result of transferring responsibility for traffic policing from division to HQ control. It is also the result of the creation of a major investigation team in 2004-05 on the advice of Sir Ronnie Flanagan following his report on the Soham murders investigation.
	
		
			  Police officer strength (FTE)( 1)  for Northern Basic Command Unit  o f Cambridgeshire police force as at 31 March 2003 to 31 March 2007 
			  31 March  Number 
			 2003 360 
			 2004 356 
			 2005 308 
			 2006 317 
			 2007 287 
			 (1) These figures are based on full-time equivalents that have been rounded to the nearest whole number, due to rounding there may be an apparent discrepancy between totals and the sums of constituent items. Figures include those officers on career breaks or maternity/paternity leave.

Police: Computers

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many hand held computers have been provided to police officers to log crime in each of the last three years.

Tony McNulty: Numbers of hand-held computers currently in use by the police service are not held centrally.
	The Government have funded a pilot of mobile information systems in six police forces. Based on this pilot, it is estimated that the number of hand-held computers in use has risen from 250 at the end of 2006 to 2,500 at the end of 2007. In September 2007, my right hon. Friend, the Prime Minister, announced an initiative to provide police officers with additional hand-held computers, increasing the total number in use to over 10,000 by the end of 2008. My right hon. Friend, the Home Secretary, announced that 50 million capital would be made available to provide the police with access to crime-fighting technologies, such as hand-held computers and mobile fingerprinting devices. We are working closely with the Association of Police Authorities and the Association of Chief Police Officers on proposals to take the initiative forward.

Police: Genetics

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department in what circumstances a police officer may ask for a DNA sample.

Tony McNulty: A constable has power under section 63 of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (PACE) to take a non-intimate sample (i.e. cells inside the mouth or from the roots of a sample of non-pubic hair) for DNA profiling without consent from a person aged 10 or over if that person is in police detention as a consequence of being arrested for a recordable offence and the same sample has not already been taken or the sample previously taken proved insufficient; or in police custody on the authority of a court and authority to take the sample is given by an inspector or above who has grounds to suspect the person of involvement in a recordable offence and to believe that the sample will tend to prove or disprove that involvement; or has been charged with, or reported for, a recordable offence and a same sample has not already been taken or a sample previously taken proved unsuitable or insufficient; or has been convicted of a recordable offence. A sample may also be taken from a person with the appropriate consent in writing.
	Appropriate consent means for a person aged 17 or over, the person's consent; for a person aged 14 to 16 inclusive, the consent of the person and their parent or guardian; and, for a person aged 10 to 13 inclusive, the consent of the person's parent or guardian.

Police: Greater London

Joan Ryan: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police officers there were in Enfield North in  (a) 1997 and  (b) 2007, how many community safety officers there were in Enfield North in 2007; and how many incidents of recorded crime there were in Enfield North in (i) 1997 and (ii) 2007.

Tony McNulty: Police strength data are not collected by parliamentary constituencies; data are available at the basic command unit level from 2002-03 onwards.
	Recorded crime data are not collected by parliamentary constituencies; data are available at the Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership level from 1999-2000 onwards.
	The available data are given in the following tables.
	
		
			  Table 1. Police officer strength (FTE)( 1)  in Enfield basic command unit as at 31 March( 2) 
			   Number 
			 1996-97  
			 2002-03 487 
			 2006-07 582 
			 (1) These figures are based on full-time equivalents that have been rounded to the nearest whole number, due to rounding there may be an apparent discrepancy between totals and the sums of constituent items. Figures include those officers on career breaks or maternity/paternity leave. (2) Data were collected centrally from 2002-03 onwards, the data for 2002-03 have been provided for reference. 
		
	
	
		
			  Table 2 . Police community support officer strength (FTE)1 in Enfield basic command unit as at 31 March 
			   Number 
			 2006-07 119 
			 (1) These figures are based on full-time equivalents that have been rounded to the nearest whole number, due to rounding there may be an apparent discrepancy between totals and the sums of constituent items. Figures include those officers on career breaks or maternity/paternity leave. 
		
	
	
		
			  Table 3. Number of recorded crimes( 1)  in Enfield CDRP as at 31 March( 2) 
			   Number 
			 1996-97  
			 2006-07 27,058 
			 (1) The data in this table take account of the introduction of the National Crime Recording Standard in April 2002. These figures are not directly comparable with those for earlier years. (2) Data were collected centrally from 1999-2000 onwards.

Police: Influenza

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 7 January 2008,  Official Report, column 294W, on police: influenza, if she will make it her policy to direct individual chief constables to conduct an assessment of the operational capacity of the police service in their area should a serious outbreak of pandemic influenza occur.

Tony McNulty: Operational capacity and evaluation of any potential threats to this capacity is a matter for individual chief constables.

Police: Information and Communications Technology

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  how much has been spent on  (a) hand held computers and  (b) other time saving technologies for police forces in England and Wales since January 2007;
	(2)  when she expects all forces in England and Wales to issue all officers with  (a) hand held computers and  (b) other time saving technologies;
	(3)  what the procedures are by which police forces in England and Wales may apply for funds for hand held computers and other time saving technologies before September 2008;
	(4)  whom her Department consults before a police force is awarded funds to provide its officers with hand held computers and other technology.

Tony McNulty: The Government have no plans to issue all officers with hand held computers and other time saving technologies as this is a matter for individual chief officers of police. However, all police officers have benefited from the introduction of the national 'Airwave' digital radio network which incorporates advanced voice, text and image capability.
	Since January 2007, the Government have made 1 million available to pilot mobile information systems in six police forces. In addition, 1.5 million has been provided during the same period for 'Project Lantern', a pilot of mobile fingerprint technology. The amount spent by individual police forces on mobile technology is not held centrally.
	In September 2007, my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister announced a new initiative to provide police officers with additional hand held computers. My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary has announced that 50 million would be made available for meeting this objective. The National Policing Improvement Agency (NPIA), is working closely with the Association of Police Authorities and the Association of Chief Police Officer's Mobile Information Programme Board, on proposals for the bidding criteria and in early February, the NPIA will invite police forces to submit applications for funding.

Police: North Yorkshire

Hugh Bayley: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many  (a) police and  (b) community support officers were employed in North Yorkshire at the latest date for which figures are available.

Tony McNulty: holding answer 31 January 2008
	Figures published on 31 January 2008 show that there were 1,623 police officers and 186 police community support officers employed in North Yorkshire on 30 September 2007. Both figures are in terms of full-time equivalents rather than head counts, and include officers on career breaks and maternity/paternity leave.

Police: Pay

Jeremy Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the financial liability is for compensation to police officers owed for rest days not taken of  (a) Warwickshire Police Authority and  (b) all police authorities in England and Wales.

Tony McNulty: holding answer 21 January 2008
	 The Home Office does not collect data on rest days not taken by police officers in England and Wales.

Police: Standards

David Ruffley: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the Head of the Police and Crime Standards Directorate will be eligible for a bonus for 2007; and what the criteria are for the award of such bonuses.

Liam Byrne: The information requested cannot be provided as it relates to an individual. However, members of the senior civil service are usually eligible for consideration for bonuses based on their performance against agreed objectives and targets.

Police: Telephone Services

Eric Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans her Department has to  (a) extend and  (b) terminate central funding of the 101 non-emergency numbers in local areas.

Tony McNulty: It has been decided that the Home Office will not continue to fund centrally the operation of the single non-emergency number 101 service in existing live areas or the development of 101 services in other areas. This was a difficult decision taken in the context of significant pressure on resources and competing policing and security priorities.
	However, the Government recognise the many benefits demonstrated by the live areas. These benefits include how, through better partnership working and information about what problems are happening where, 101 has helped local police and councils to target their resources more effectively and efficiently and improve services to the public. The Home Office will therefore continue to provide funding for the national 101 infrastructure in order to enable and support local areas to maintain or develop their own locally funded 101 services, informed by and building on these benefits.

Postal Services

John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  how many items of post sent by her Department were reported missing by the intended recipient in each year since 1997;
	(2)  what steps her Department has taken to protect the personal data on members of the public which it holds.

Liam Byrne: I refer the hon. Member to the statement made by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 21 November 2007,  Official Report, column 1179W. The review by the Cabinet Secretary and security experts is looking at procedures within Departments and agencies for the storage and use of data. A statement on Departments' procedures will be made on completion of the review.

PricewaterhouseCoopers

David Gauke: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the value of her Department's contracts with PricewaterhouseCoopers on private finance initiative projects was in each year since 1997.

Liam Byrne: The Department does not hold a central record of individual contracts with external consultants. To identify and establish whether the Department let contracts where PricewaterhouseCoopers was engaged to work on PFI contracts, and compile their value from individual records would incur disproportionate cost.

Proscribed Organisations Appeals Commission

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if she will make a statement on the status of the Government's appeal against the decision of the Proscribed Organisations Appeals Commission in the case of the People's Mojahedin of Iran.

Tony McNulty: holding answer 31 January 2008
	I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for North Thanet (Mr. Gale) on 21 January 2007,  Official Report, column 1786W.

Public Order Offences: Photography

Madeleine Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if she will issue guidance to police forces on steps which may be taken against persons taking photographs in public places.

Tony McNulty: The police may remove persons from public areas, prevent filming or confiscate equipment where they are responding to an offence or where they suspect an offence is about to happen in order to prevent it from being committed. They may also take action to prevent a breach of the peace. In such cases the police may require a person to leave a place or prevent them from entering a public area where their presence is likely to cause a breach of the peace. Police tactics and decisions on how to achieve these objectives are a matter for the independent judgment of chief officers of police.

Smart Water

John Leech: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police forces have purchased stocks of smart water; and how many crimes have been detected in each police authority area through the use of smart water.

Tony McNulty: holding answer 29 January 2008
	Smartwater is only one of a number of crime prevention tools available on the market. The use of Smartwater, as with other operational matters, is a matter for each police force.

Stop and Search

Jeremy Browne: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department with reference to the answer of 16 October 2007,  Official Report, column 983W, on stop and search, for what reasons data on individuals stopped and searched under section 44 of the Terrorism Act 2000 is not collected by  (a) gender and  (b) age.

Tony McNulty: holding answer 29 November 2007
	The recording requirements for stop and search data under section 44 of the Terrorism Act 2000 are set out in PACE Code A issued under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984. Code A does not require that gender details should be recorded although the officer exercising a stop and search can request a person's date of birth. Police forces nevertheless do collect data on individuals' gender and age when exercising stop and search powers under section 44 of the Terrorism Act 2000. However, these data are not held centrally and the information could not be provided except at disproportionate cost.

Terrorism

Tobias Ellwood: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  what guidelines are given to the police in dealing with extremist literature discovered in UK mosques;
	(2)  what steps she is taking to ensure inflammatory literature is not available in UK mosques.

Tony McNulty: holding answer 1 February 2008
	The Racial and Religious Hatred Act 2006 makes it an offence to publish or distribute material which stirs up religious, as well as racial, hatred.
	We have also introduced new offences and powers in the Terrorism Act 2006 to tackle those who promote terrorism, including glorification of terrorism; dissemination of terrorist publications; and powers to remove terrorist-related material from a website. We have extended in the Terrorism Act 2006 the grounds for proscription to catch organisations which glorify terrorism.
	The police will deal with the discovery of extremist literature in mosques within the parameters of the available legislation. Where there is evidence of an offence being committed, the prosecuting agencies will take the appropriate action.
	The Government are also working with the Muslim communities to support them in raising standards of governance in mosques. The Mosques and Imams National Advisory Board's (MINAB) work to develop core standards for mosques is an important step. These standards include a focus on strengthening governance and ensuring faith leaders have the leadership skills to isolate and defeat violent extremism. Strong mosques positioned at the centre of the community and effectively governed will be better able to withstand attempts by certain groups or individuals to incite hatred or promote violent extremist interpretations of Islam.

Vladimir Ismaili

Anthony Steen: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department with reference to the Answer of 15 June 2007,  Official Report, columns 1398-99W, on Vladimir Ismaili, whether Vladimir Ismaili has been deported.

Vernon Coaker: Vladimir Ismaili remains at large. As such no deportation action has been taken against him.

Work Permits

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many professional footballers offered employment by UK football clubs were refused a work permit in each year since January 1998, broken down by nationality.

Liam Byrne: The information requested is as follows:
	The figures quoted are not provided under National Statistics protocols and have been derived from local management information and are therefore provisional and subject to change.
	
		
			  Number of professional footballers who were refused a work permit for each year broken down by nationality for the period from 1 January 2000 to 1 February 2008 
			  Nationality  2000  2001  2002  2003  2004  2005  2006  2007  2008  Total 
			 Albania 0 (1) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (1) 
			 Algeria 0 0 0 0 0 (1) 0 0 0 (1) 
			 Australia 5 (1) 0 (1) 0 0 0 0 0 5 
			 Barbados 0 0 0 0 0 0 (1) 0 0 (1) 
			 Belarus (1) (1) 0 0 0 (1) 0 0 0 5 
			 Bermuda (1) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (1) 
			 Bosnia-Herzogovina (1) (1) 0 (1) 0 0 0 0 0 5 
			 Brazil 0 (1) 5 5 (1) (1) 0 0 0 10 
			 Bulgaria 0 0 (1) 0 0 (1) 0 (1) 0 5 
			 Cameroon 0 0 (1) 5 (1) 0 (1) 0 0 5 
			 Canada (1) (1) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 
			 Chile (1) 0 0 0 0 (1) 0 0 0 (1) 
			 China, Peoples Republic of 0 (1) (1) 0 0 0 (1) 0 0 5 
			 Colombia 0 (1) (1) 0 0 0 0 0 0 (1) 
			 Congo 0 0 0 0 0 0 (1) 0 0 (1) 
			 Costa Rica 0 0 0 0 0 0 (1) 0 0 (1) 
			 Croatia (1) (1) 0 0 0 0 (1) 0 0 5 
			 Czech Republic 0 (1) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (1) 
			 Ecuador 0 (1) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (1) 
			 Egypt 0 0 0 0 (1) 0 0 0 0 (1) 
			 Estonia 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 
			 Georgia 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 (1) (1) 5 
			 Ghana 0 0 0 0 5 0 0 (1) 0 5 
			 Honduras 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 
			 Iraq 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (1) (1) 
			 Israel (1) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (1) 
			 Jamaica 0 (1) (1) 0 (1) (1) 0 (1) 0 5 
			 Japan 0 0 (1) 0 0 0 0 0 0 (1) 
			 Latvia 5 0 (1) 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 
			 Liberia 0 (1) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (1) 
			 Lithuania 0 0 0 (1) 0 0 0 0 0 (1) 
			 Macedonia 0 (1) 0 (1) 0 (1) 0 0 0 5 
			 Morocco 0 (1) 0 (1) 0 0 0 0 0 (1) 
			 New Zealand 0 (1) 0 0 0 0 0 (1) 0 (1) 
			 Nigeria 0 (1) 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 
			 Oman 0 0 (1) 0 0 0 0 0 0 (1) 
			 Poland (1) 0 0 (1) 0 0 0 0 0 (1) 
			 Russia 0 0 (1) 0 0 0 0 0 0 (1) 
			 Serbia(2) 0 0 0 (1) 0 0 0 0 0 (1) 
			 Sierra Leone 0 0 (1) 0 0 0 (1) 0 0 (1) 
			 Slovakia 0 0 0 (1) 0 0 0 0 0 (1) 
			 South Africa 0 (1) (1) (1) (1) (1) 0 0 0 5 
			 St. Kitts (1) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (1) 
			 St. Vincent (1) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (1) 
			 Togo 0 (1) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (1) 
			 Trinidad and Tobago 10 5 (1) 5 0 (1) 0 (1) 0 25 
			 Tunisia 0 0 0 0 (1) 0 0 0 0 (1) 
			 Turkey 0 (1) (1) 0 0 0 0 0 0 (1) 
			 United States of America 5 (1) (1) 5 0 0 (1) 0 0 10 
			 Yugoslavia(3) 0 (1) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (1) 
			 Zimbabwe (1) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (1) 
			 Total 40 35 25 30 10 10 10 10 (1) 165 
			 (1) Indicates 1 or 2. (2) Until 2005 Serbia was referred to as Serbia and Montenegro. (3 )Yugoslavia ceased to be a nation in 2000.   Notes: 1. In November 1999 a new computer system was installed to be 2000 compliant, not all data were copied across to the new computer system; therefore, only data from 2000 onwards are reliable. 2. Figures are rounded to nearest 5. 3. Because of rounding figures may not add up to totals shown.

Young Offenders

David Ruffley: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate she has made of the number of persons under 18 years who have committed  (a) five offences or more,  (b) 10 offences or more,  (c) 20 offences or more and  (d) 50 offences or more in each year since 1997.

Vernon Coaker: Estimates of the numbers of persons under 18 years who have committed offences is not available.
	Statistics on offences committed by offenders sentenced for indictable offences by the courts are routinely published by the Ministry of Justice and can be found in the House of Commons Library.

Young Offenders

David Ruffley: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many crimes were committed by juvenile offenders in each year since 1997.

Vernon Coaker: Estimates of the numbers of crimes committed by juvenile offenders are not available.